National Night Out Brings Communities Together in Akron

Kaylen Jackson was eager to get out of the house and visit Summit Lake Community Center — despite Tuesday’s late-afternoon storms.

As Kaylen, 11, enjoyed a slice of pizza on a cozy orange couch, kids circled the room with collections of shiny, gold junior firefighter stickers and swag bags from the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office. Other kids splashed in rainwater outside on the playground.

The moment was about more than pepperoni and puddles. Kaylen’s mother said she brings her two daughters to National Night Out every year to build rapport with local police officers and firefighters.

“I want them to know that, more times than not, they are good [people],” Kansas Jackson said of her daughters interacting with first responders.

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National Night Out events have taken place in Akron for more than two decades. Below are snapshots from several of the 2024 events across the city, including North Hill, Ellet, West Hill, and Summit Lake.

Ward 6: ‘Let them know they can vote’

In Ellet, there was a slow trickle of about two dozen community members at the National Night Out event.

The two-hour community-building event in Ward 6 was moved inside the Ellet Community Center after a downpour kept the Akron police and fire departments from exhibiting their equipment outside. There was free pizza and refreshments, a face-painting station, and about nine tables run by local first responder agencies and community services.

Ward 2: ‘It’s a blessing to be a blessing’

Tuesday afternoon’s storm blew away any chance of a festive atmosphere at this year’s event in North Hill, but families sheltered under the pavilion at the Patterson Ballfields and enjoyed food while collecting school supplies and mingling with safety forces and local politicians.

Gary and Patricia Wyatt of the North Hill Community House teamed up with the Remedy Church and its pastor, Deante Lavender, to secure backpacks filled with school supplies.

Ward 1: ‘Grateful for everybody's participation’

The event was moved inside the Church of Our Saviour in the West Hill neighborhood due to weather concerns.

More than a dozen children interacted with firefighters and played at the children's arts and crafts table.

Ward 10: Rescheduled for Wednesday evening

The Ward 10 event was postponed due to weather. It will now take place Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. along Goodyear Boulevard, in front of the Linda Theatre.

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What do you think?

• Should National Night Out events be held more frequently?
• Do you think events like these help strengthen community-police relationships?
• Should there be more emphasis on voter registration at such events?