Akron Faces Police Layoffs

Akron, Ohio currently faces a projected budget deficit of $4 million. If extra money can’t be found or an agreement with the police union reached, 93 police officers will lose their jobs by September 12. 93 layoffs would mean about 17% of the total police force would be out of a job.

Union reps disputed the notion that layoffs were necessary: “Their income tax is up,” said Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 President Paul Hlynsky. “Their property tax is up.”

Akron Finance Director Diane Miller-Dawson said in a press release that while some of the city’s accounts had grown over the past year, “as of June 30th, our expenses exceeded our income in the general fund by $2,773,119.”