When the City of Dayton locks down much of its downtown next month for a five-day gathering of international legislators, the Akron Police Department may be funding a team of its officers to be there to help police the large and potentially heated protests that the conferences frequently attract.
The APD sought permission from Akron City Council permission on Monday to pay up to $30,000 for eight to 12 of its officers to provide reinforcements to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, which will be held in the Southwest Ohio city from May 22 to 26. The APD will arrive May 21. The item was placed on the consent agenda, which will be voted on at the next council meeting on April 28.
Deputy Chief Agostino Micozzi told City Council’s public safety committee on Monday afternoon that Dayton contacted the department months ago for a “mutual aid” agreement to “give a little assistance” with crowd control. Legislation submitted to City Council indicates the $30,000 is coming from the APD’s operating budget — the money is intended for wages and travel costs, with Dayton picking up the tab for food and lodging…