By Tim Ruddell, WKSU
In the last ten days sixteen people have been wounded or killed in shooting incidents in Akron. The city’s Mayor and Police Chief held a news conference Monday about the unprecedented outbreak of gun violence.
Chief Kenneth Ball led off, reporting that despite the spike in shootings Akron's crime statistics are down across the board for the year, even homicides. But, he said, the recent deadly violence shows the need to do more. Mayor Horrigan spoke of plans for coordinated efforts from all areas, including from the faith-based communities, and for increased enforcement.
"To send a message that this kind of violence will not be tolerated in our city, after the escalation of violence in the first week of July, the Akron police department immediately stepped up its presence in key areas of the city; the Arlington and Copley road corridors in particular, as well as other places where shootings had occurred," Horrigan said. "So expect to see more offices patrolling these neighborhoods."
In the recent gun violence six of the victims died.
