A community policing forum Jan. 22, billed as a way to provide awareness and transparency around policing in Akron as well as answer residents’ questions, was also an opportunity for Akron City Council members to criticize what they said is a lack of progress by Mayor Shammas Malik in the area of police reform.
Council member Eric Garrett (at large), who hosted the event at Buchtel Community Learning Center along with council members Jan Davis (Ward 4) and Margo Sommerville (council president, Ward 3), is a frequent critic of the police department and Malik and told those in attendance that the mayor asked to attend the forum.
“I told him he wasn’t invited to our Thanksgiving dinner unless he wanted to bring something” showing that the mayor had addressed many concerns, Garrett said. He added that he is disappointed the mayor has not done more regarding police reform during his first two years in office. “Hopefully, at the next meeting, he’ll bring us something.”…