AKRON, Ohio — The Akron NAACP along with some members of Akron City Council and city leaders said it’s time for simple but meaningful change following the fatal shooting of Jayland Walker by Akron police officers.
The group laid out plans for a charter amendment to get a civilian review board on the November ballot during a press conference on Tuesday.
Last week, the group dropped off a petition that they said contains 7,000 signatures to the clerk of council in support of ballot initiative that would create a citizens police oversight board.
State Sen. Vernon Sykes spoke to a crowd of people during the press conference and outlined their plan for the citizen police oversight board.
The senator said the petition and signatures were transferred to the Board of Elections, where they’re being counted. Sykes explained they could finalize that count as early as Tuesday and decide whether there are enough verified signatures.
The ballot initiative would be for an amendment to the city’s charter that would create a three-person office made up of a full-time auditor, a deputy auditor and an administrative assistant, and a citizens review board. The auditor and board would review citizen complaints but would not impose policy directly. They would make suggestions meant to bridge the gap between the community and law enforcement.
Rev. Nanette Pitt, the senior minister at the First Congregational Church of Akron, also spoke during the press conference.
“A charter amendment of Akron’s constitution can only be passed by the residents, by the voters,” Pitt said. “It’s a opportunity for all of us to take a step toward transparency, accountability and to create an Akron that all feel proud to call home, that affords all people equal protection under the law”
If the measure has enough verified signatures, Akron City Council could meet as soon as Thursday to vote to put it on the November ballot.
The deadline to get this done is the close of business on Friday.
