hopefully the NEW mayor will have better relations with APD!
Keep up the good work APD!
We are behind you all the way!

The Feds are more crooked than the APD

Shot 22 times?! I can't imagine ANY reason to have shot the man that many times.

Whether the guy was committing a crime or not, it appears that there was more to this than the police just defending themselves. Police are often guilty of abusing their power and the law. I once witnessed the Tallmadge police beat a guy on Rt 18.

i was reading an article where the police shot some guy 6 times and the people were outraged. The guy had a fake gun too. He pulled it out and the police shot him 6 times killing him. shooting him 22 times seemed just like a little bit over kill.

I like the APD, and i think they gett he raw end of the deal from the mayor and others in coucil but, they are a tad bit arrogant and come off as if they are better than others and have poor communications with the public. Many times i wave or say hello to them in public and get absolutely no response. Maybe its just me, who knows, they have enough pressure. Maybe they need to work on their comm. skills more, it seems that the city is divided and it may help bring more on their side.

The APD did nothing wrong in any of the cases. Mayor Donny Boy refuses to back his APD's actions even when these black CRIMINALS pull guns on the responding officers. The black APD complainers of CrAkron have no legal standing. They are just a bunch of inner city Afrocentric losers. Let the recall begin of Mayor Don.

Joe Finley for Mayor !!!!

Go APD these criminals are no joke and need to be dealt with accordingly,keep going home to your families,i'll keep supporting.

Seems to me the feds are looking in the wrong direction. They need to look at City Hall, not the APD.

This is a waste of time for all. It does not matter if cops are wrong or right. Cops dont roll over on other cops no matter what. Stop the dog and pony show and get to some real crime stopping.

You have pleanty of Summit County officials to investigate. You can get many convictions in Summit County govt.

@get a grip Your statement is right on. City Hall, the council, Summerville in particular. The feds need to investigate them all and quit harrassing the APD. Officers have enough to think about out in the field than worry wether the actions they take to defend themselves against armed criminals will cause them additional hardships.

Does anyone else know how short a time it takes for two officers to expend their rounds? A few seconds. No chances were being taken with this potential threat, and the goal, when their lives are on the line, is to neutralize that threat.

@SanDiegoJoe, get your facts straight. He was not shot 22 times. 2 officers fired 22 shots. He was not hit 22 times. Officers are trained to fire several shots at a target. They do not fire once and wait to see if a criminal fires back.

Vinson was an armed thug who was given a chance to surrender to police but decided to blow his own brains out instead. How is that a "police shooting?!"

New road signs should be put up at Akron's borders that say "Caution, racial demogogues at work."

I never really get this kind of stuff. White criminal gets shot its over with. Black criminal gets shot and there are investigations.

This must make for a great job for the officers. Get a call from someone in a black neighborhood and think the whole way there..............anything I do will be wrong.

If I defend myself and shoot the criminal when they brandish a weapon or fire upon me I will be investigated and possibly lose my job, don't defend myself when the criminal doesn't listen to orders or when they brandish their weapon and fire upon me I go home dead............those are some really great options.

If Marco and Don would take the energy they exert in villifying the police and grandstanding to the federal government Akron might not be in the mess it is.

Schools are horrible according to state statistics, roads/infrastructure in complete disarray, neighborhoods over run with crumbling houses and thugs are plentiful.

Of course what do you expect of a mayor who a few years ago cost some poor parking attendent his job because Donny didn't get the parking space he wanted.

Hmmm, I wonder iff'n the justice dept wants to meet with the rest of Akron, that feels that our police have done their job.

Or doesn't the rest of Akron have any civil rights to be protected from these folks that commit criminal acts.

Who are they going to whine to when this investigation does not turn out the way they want it to?

Officers are trained to initially discharge their weapon three times. Shots fired after that would indicate the need to return fire.

''It was clearly not just to show support for the police,'' he said. ''It was done for the wrong reasons.''

Seems to me that expressing displeasure with elected officials is part of the foundation of a democracy and is appropriate in all venues. Just ask members of MoveOn.org, they'll agree.

I hope the justice department also takes a look at the Mayor and certain council members who are part of the problem.

I guess the Akron police are just like the Akron resident, prejudiced as all hell. I moved here from Denver, and can't wait to sell my house and get the hell out. Creepy....

Listen, no one is working TOGETHER. Thats the problem.

@Gain Some Reality- Skim down 10 paragraphs, he was shot 22 times according to this article...

Jeffery Stephens Sr., 42, was shot by police 22 times on July 5, 2008, after officers said he ignored their order to surrender and instead reached for a gun.

To GOPHater: DLTDHYITAOTWO

I'm ready for another rally to support our police.

When does Mayor Sommerville take office?

To JimmyR:

Don't worry, I won't. Enjoy the clouds and constant rain, snow, or rain/snow mix.

I am A bail bondsman in summit county and can tell you first hand that the judges do not want to put these people behind bars. in akron they let them out on 10% pre trail bonds. with out bondsmans. then when they dont show to court it cost an average of $4,000 for the police to find them. and 70% of them commit crimes while out on bond. way to go akron courts!

Howardg your right i feel alot safer in my city these cops are drawing the line in the sand with these baggy pants-mild smoking idiots that carry guns like the wild west, society is in true danger with guys like this, keep up the great work apd.

@ GOPHater – we can’t wait either (for you to sell your house and leave).


@ JimmyR – you beat me to it….

FIRST OF ALL I AM OUTRAGED AT THE RACIST REMARKS MADE AS COMMENTS TO THE SITUATION - FIRST OF ALL YOU MUST KNOW THE PERSON TO SPEAK ON THE PERSON - AND OBVIOUSLY NONE OF YOU DO - I DONT DENY THAT THE APD HAS A HARD AND STRESSFUL JOB AT HAND! BUT THATS WHAT THEY SIGNED UP FOR -SO THAT IS NO EXCUSE FOR THE ABUSE OF POWER - I LIVE IN AKRON - I HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS WHO WORK FOR THE APD - WITH THAT BEING SAID - IT IS NOT ALL APD - BUT THERE ARE A FEW BAD APPLES WHO SPOIL THE BUNCH - AND THE COMMUNITY KNOWS WHO THEY ARE! - NOW WHETHER ALL 22 SHOTS HIT THE SHOOTING VICTIM IS NOT THE CASE - ITS THE FACT THAT HE WAS SHOT AT 22 TIMES IN FRONT OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS - NOW THATS EXCESSIVE! ITS NOT THAT THEY HAD TO RESORT TO THAT -ITS WHAT HAPPENED ONCE THEY BEGAN TO SHOOT IS WHAT THE ISSUE IS AT HAND . SO FOR THE MOST PART APD DOES A GREAT JOB - BUT THERE ARE A FEW BAD APPLES WHO ARE SPOILING THE BUNCH - AND THIS INVESTIGATION WILL HOPEFULLY WEED THOSE OUT - THIS IS NOT A RACIAL ISSUE - THIS IS AN ABUSE OF POWER ISSUE WHETHER THE OFFICER OR OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IS BLACK OR WHITE DOES NOT MATTER . WE NEED TO BRING UNITY INTO OUR COMMUNITY - APD NEEDS THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN ORDER TO COMPLETELY PERFORM THEIR JOBS- BECAUSE IF THE COMMUNITY LOSES FAITH IN THE APD - CAN YOU IMAGINE THE CRIME RATE ! IT WILL BE OFF THE HOOK - BECAUSE NO ONE WILL HAVE FAITH AND WILL RESORT TO TAKING MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS - IT WILL BE LIKE DODGE CITY - WILD - WILD WEST -IF WE DONT COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a waste of time. It's not a racial thing, it's a stupid thug thing. I don't think the APD did anything wrong in either shooting. That's just what happens when you wave a gun in front of police.

I think the Akron (and other area) police officers are doing a fine job. It's a shame so many people don't support them and understand what a difficult job they have. Us law-abiding citizens appreciate all that they do.

I am looking forward to the APD being absolved of any wrongdoing in either of these incidents.

Keep up the good work, APD!!!

Make these communities produce several of their own men and women to represent their neighborhoods. Issue them a badge, a gun and a cruiser, and assign them to these areas. When you have a problem, these fine people that you selected will respond. Same for your EMS. No one else will come for any reason. Police, Fire and EMS resources will be allocated to each community based on the amount of taxable income generated in each community. No more, no less. Then you won't have to complain about abusive white cops. Oh yeah, and STAY in your neighborhoods.

Dog the Bounty Hunter,

Drop your gay badge logo in your posts. No one can read half of them. No one cares.

Its not racial it is being honest,these thugs need the right arm of the law lowering the boom,it sends a great message not only to law abiding citizens,but to the baggy pants-mild smoking parasites.

If 22 cops shot the guy 22 times, that's only 1 shot per cop

This article sounds like a "Cops" episode. Those shows kill me. How many times does the criminal NOT listen to the police. If the guy had a gun, and he did not tell the police or he tried to use it against the police, then the police have the right to shoot him up.

Interesting idea Glock20.

Our policeman are 99% jerks, my cousin included.

hey glock 20. seems you have al the answers. lets see you patrol the streets of akron with out any traing and see how safe you feel. and then have your name all over the paper when you defend your self.

Ah, Glock. How eloquent and how racist and how offensive to cops that aren't white who are on the force. Yes, "stay in your own neighborhood". Which is exactly the sentiment I have about hillbillies like you. You're bringing down my property value, but that, of course, makes me an elitist. Just because you're white doesn't mean you aren't trash.

Lets face it. Cops have to make quick decisions everyday. They're also professionals and have to answer as such. If the Feds are getting involved, there may be something to what the families are saying.

While there are many many good cops, there are also bad ones or ones that cross the line. To think that there aren't is ignorant. There are obvious inconsistancies - changing stories from self-defense to suicide - that need to be addressed. If the Feds find out there is no teeth to the families' stories, then the issue is laid to rest once and for all.

@MaD, only 22 hots were fired from the police. Even the most experience officer does not hit the target with 100 accuracy, especially under the stress of a shoot out. If they actually hit him with all 22 shots, I guess our Akron officers are better trained than most police.

@shauna, if a person pulls a gun on cops, they can shoot until he is down. Focusing on the number of shots is ridiculous. You criticize people for speaking about people they do not know, yet you speak about a scenario you were not part of. You have no idea what harm those officers faced.

That is pretty bad that the police have to fire 22 shots. Why can't they hit the guy with ONE? This sounds like a complete waste of ammo. Maybe the APD need to take a course in aiming a gun at a target?

@ topic - shot 22 times - If someone pulled a gun on me and I was armed, I'd empty the clip into the person. I don't fault the ADP on that at all.

Keep putting them to sleep APD

if you dont want to get shot do what the police say. put your gun down put your hands up and surrender. if they wouldnt have shot the man and he would have shot them you all would be wanting to lynch the man instead its the other way around. you cophater/thughater need to. let the ploice do thier job. maybe some of the neighborhood outta give their peopl a badge, gun and a cruiser. think you could do a better job? LMAO

We went to the rally for the APD..would go again. We support our police department and thank them for the job they do.

While the mayor and marco sat in their offices hiding behind the doors and guards to make sure no one bothered them.

It is not difficult to understand...maybe someone needs to make a rap song explaining it to these idiots that cant understand simple english...BLACK AND WHITE THUGS...DO NOT PULL A GUN ON A COP!!!

The Department of Justice is in Akron to investigate the police department... please investigate the mayor and council members while you are here...I am sure you will be in abuse heaven once you start checking!!

if the judges keep letting them go, let the police stop them for good.its common sense. you pull A gun on A cop you get shot. plain and simple.every one wants to feel bad for the familys of these punks, but did they try and stop them from having A gun.I dont feel bad its thier own fault.

I think thay it is sad when we can elect a biracial man for President and then turn around treat eachother this way. It is not racist to disagree with a person and to not want to be around them. On the other hand, white people have to understand that blacks do not trust whites. We can't even trust our own. White people do not trust the APD too. It is not the black people's fault for sticking together and making noise against the BAD men of Akron's police department.

Amen to the posts on this page. I was fearful that it would be innodated by clueless just wanting to ruffle feathers, but clearly that is not the case. It is nice to see support for our police dept. I am sorry I didn't know about the rally to support the police I would have been there front and center.

teddyd....... that was the only thing that made sense out of all these! your rite.

One shot or 22 shots he's dead and rightfully so. If you would not have an illegal firearm then you wouldn't have a problem. If you would just shut your hole and obey simple police commands you won't have a problem.

Its a wonder the family of this punk hasnt used the excuse "he didnt pull a gun he was hitching up his pants" my poor baby wouldnt hurt no one @ 3:00 am in the hood. lol

Hold on to your hat if you live in the city. After Cincinnati's "voluntary" agreement with the DOJ, crime climbed steadily.

@ glock - Many of those things have already been done in Akron. Quota hirin' and all that. Once upon a time, it was the plan to have more colored officers patrolin' the colored neighborhoods. The problem, was that over time, they gained senority, and no longer wanted to work in those neighborhoods, and exercised their senority to patrol better enviroments. Can't say I blame them.

If our black youth want to walk the streets all night and act like criminals then they should be treated as such. If our black youth want respect-true respect-get an education-a job-get off the streets-and be an example to others.
APD is overwhelmed with the crime around here. So much so, that depending on the crime, have to take reports over the phone. Thats a new one for me!

how many of you who are critical of the APD would actually want to do their job or wouldn't shoot rather than be shot in those situations?

i am a former marine who served in Desert Storm and i can tell you i felt safer there than driving in the hood.

@ Heidi, your comment "If our blk youth want to walk the streets . . ." is on point - blacks as a whole should stop blaming others (the man) and become responsible, educated, law abiding citizens.

WEll upstanding, hardworking,lawabiding,taxpaying,red blooded americans do not roam the streets a 3 am because we have to work,be responsable,if your in the streets @ 3am in the hood your up to NO GOOD

Why do people insist that only black youth carry guns, commit crimes and walk the streets "Heidi"? Also why do we assume that all black youth are uneducated and unemployed? Those comments are so ridiculous. I invite everyone to sit in the welfare office, unemployement office and probabtion office and see who comes in and out. It really is almost an even balance. I don't have a problem with people who don't like other people unless they are not man or woman enough to stand behind it. If you don't like something don't pretend in public that you do. I'll end with this note the finances of the USA are a mess....Who has been running all the major financial institutions and handling the finances of the country and making all the major decision since the beginning of time? Not the Blacks.....think about it.

Hey ABJ where are the pictures of the police support rally? Why is this newspaper so one sided. I'm stopping my paper subscription.

@bobbyg,right on point.
@ Mitch were are not speaking of the meltdown of the financial institutions, we are speaking of marco and are not so bright mayor siding with blk people for not taking responsibility for their bad behavior. please try and stay on topic. I know it is lunch time and all.

and please like marco hasn't been bugging someone in the DOJ to look into akron. don't give me the wide eyed doe expression.. I didn't know they were investigating.... as if to tell us hey you were being watched. whatever marco, I don't have my hipwaders on today stop shoveling it.

Well mitch and we the people are surely hood rats i dont hang out at welfare i work, i dont hang out at the probation office i work, i dont run the finances in this country i work i dont run the streets and dont defend the ones that do, i do my part and sleep like a baby, oh i dont give cops a reason to shoot me

I think the citizens of Akron should call ofr the Feds to reopen the investigation as to why Marco only got a slap on the wrist for trying to take his loaded weapon on an airplane, OHHH did we all forget about this, of course you all did. Matulavich, I hope you got a good attorney, because you have been sold out by the city that you loved and swore to protect for many many years, I for one thank you for you service.

This is all just typical, the best bet is to just ignore it, the Feds will come to same conclusion that the rest of us have and the whole situation will fade away. Unfortunately this will probably happen again and again,some but not all of the black community will always want to believe the worst of the APD. Reality is that the city of Akron is on a fast downward slide that cant be stopped, the industry that once made the city a great place to live is now gone, and will never be back, and all that is left are a bunch of beat down old neighborhoods filled with poor people. As time goes by the people who can will move away and the ones who cant will have to fend for themselves, unfortunately the city of Akron wont be able to afford the amount of officers needed to combat the rise in crime and the officers they do have will leave one by one out of fear for their own lives. It all sounds crazy, but look at Cleveland or Detroit they were once nice cities too, and look at them now.

The beacon journal is a joke, only show the rallys against the police department... we where at the rally there was hundred of people standing peacefully supporting their police department, black and white officers.

Black or white when you do wrong, there is a thing called personal responsibility and consequences for your choices.

The mayor and marco will get there's one day and i can't wait to see it!! marco is a racist pig and thinks he and ol donny are above the law...maybe we need to have a petition to send to the department of justice calling for an investigation of the city officials of akron...now there's a petition i would gladly stand and sign in the middle of downtown akron.

IF YOU PULL GUNS ON COPS, THEY MIGHT SHOOT YOU. TOO BAD.

Candle in one hand heat in the other,marco geeking out the window

Akron PD, Just keep doing what your doing. Go home to your family at night. No matter what, these people will continue to cry they are being treated bad. Keep up the good work in the difficult environment you work in. Hey, at least these crooks provide job security!

I don't understand any of this. The gentleman that was shot 22 times, as reported over and over again by the Beacon, was outside of his home, intoxicated, and armed, reportedly looking for another man who supposedly previously fired shots at the deceased's home, correct?
Let's be clear, the person was armed, drunk, and looking for a fight. (Granted, not necessarily with the police.) The man was with his son when confronted by APD. The son obeyed orders and hit the ground and is still alive to tell the tale today. The father did not obey orders, and had a weapon. And everyone is crying foul because he was shot and killed? Seriously?
Oh wait, it is not that he was shot and killed, it's that he was was shot 22 times. If one of the officers actually had the time to discharge his weapon completely, reload, and then resume shooting I could see a reason to be concerned. That didn't happen here. The officers did as trained. To the best of my knowledge, once the decision is made to use deadly force, you continue to apply said force until the suspect is down. I heard no reports of him being shot while lying on the ground which I could also see as grounds for concern. The man was intoxicated folks, he didn't drop right away and the officers kept firing until they were certain of their own safety. Period.

He was not shot "22 times". He was shot until the threat was neutralized. That happened to be 22.

Bottom line, don't reach for an illegal hand gun when the cops tell you to hit the ground.

He was not shot more times after he was neutralized.

Vinson shot himself. The caliber of the bullet that killed him was the caliber of his own gun, not the ones carried by police.

In both cases, black men living in the ghetto pulled a gun and aimed it at a cop.

What exactly is there to protest, and what do you black people not understand? You aim a gun at a cop, you lose. No matter who you are or what color. You aim a gun at a cop, you lose. You comply, you live.

@bobbyG
Right On! A little common sense goes a looooong way!

I also work and I own my own business. I was speaking to people you make assumptions about who's occupying the system. Sometime when you see thing for yourself you have a clearer understanding of what is going on. I also agree that if you break the law, then you place yourself in the position to be delt with. You may be handle properly or improperly but to commit crime was your decision. So yes I work and I also sleep very well at night in my comfortable (paid for) home.

For all of those who don't have a life and need to use this forum to show every one how bigoted and racist they are..Jeff L Stephens was shot 22 times by the police and he was not a thug. The fact that he was a young black man who just happened to live in the "hood" does not give any of you the right to label him. He was a good man and loving husband , father,nephew and cousin who probably lived a better life than most of you who keep posting on this subject. If you don't like us, why not just leave? We would be better off for sure!!!
So for all you Nay sayers....you know what you can do....just call me a cousin missing her cousin because the police made a bad call

@heidi thank you and i liked your previous comment also, hey maybe hiedi for mayor lol I'll vote for you!

bobbyg, there are people out at 3am who are just as law abiding and tax paying as you...it's called the 3rd shift. Perhaps college kids or other adults out at a bar having a good time or people leaving to go to the airport, trips, etc. Your tax-paying and your apparent red-bloodedness have no relevance to your argument. I can guarantee I pay twice what your taxes are...does that make me even MORE red blooded and even MORE American? Or maybe since I disagree with you I'm a "hood rat".

Like I said, the Feds don't get involved just because someone complains. If they find no fault to the APD, the issue is moot and we move on. If they DO find fault...well then what? You'll be screaming conpiracy.

Support your police, but don't be so ignorant to think nothing sinister ever goes on....like someone said before, cops will never rat another out...where's the justice in hiding things? If you did nothing wrong, you have nothing to hide.

The ignorance of the black community has lead to a DOJ investigation. When the DOJ confirms earlier investigations are correct and that no wrong doing was done by the APD....will you all shut your mouths then? You people don't even know when or what to protest. Here is a clue, protest against children having children, or drug use, or people with no parenting skills.

Wow! The APD should print these comments out and read them when they think no one cares! It's nice to see so much support. I agree with all that say if you're a law abiding citizen, there's no reason to hate the APD. Marco needs to go!!! And what a LIAR!! "Sommerville said he did not request the move and that he was surprised to receive the phone call last week from a Justice Department
official notifying him of the investigation." I have a feeling Sommerville was nothing but a big tattletale in school too!

Unless any of you have access to police records, you really have no idea what type of evidence they've gathered. All of your information comes from the media, namely, the ABJ...which, let's just think about for a minute, isn't exactly the most accurate reporting. No one here has all of the information, so don't assume you know all of the facts.

Great post chad. This shooting from July last year has been hashed out on these boards many times. People who break the law need to be held accountable. People confronted by police that do not follow orders or worse pull a gun are going to have trouble. If you don't put yourself in that situation, and don't make bad decisions you hae nothing to worry about.

I hope the DOJ has a quick and efficient investigation showing what we all know, that nothing was done wrong.

@lawcat, so these 2 individuals were merely working third shift?or on there way to the airport? you must be related in some form

lawcat continues to miss the point, if we cracked your skull open a butterfly would fly away,you work for marco?

And lawcat knows all the facts --- just ask !

Bobbyg, nice to see you discovered punctuation. No, not related, but thanks for the red herring. Try a different argument next time you post. You're pretty consistent with how you handle people who disagree with you. I can easily make an argument that you're from Mogodore and therefore poor white trash and probably have never been to the "big city" let alone have a job...but really, how is that going to advance the argument? I digress...

Here's what you said:
"hardworking,lawabiding,taxpaying,red blooded americans do not roam the streets a 3 am because we have to work,be responsable,if your in the streets @ 3am"

Implying that hardworking, law abiding people aren't out at 3am because they "have to work" the next day. And I destroyed your inane argument. Next.

And then you lost punctuation...so sad. Glad the new President is tightening teaching standards.

I didn't say I know all the facts [which was the antithesis of what my post was about. Clearly over your head], however, obviously you do, Bobette. Since you have the "facts", YOU must be on the counsel! A ha! Cripe, come back with some intelligence next time. You think the ABJ has access to all information, all interviews in those files? Please. You really are naive.

Everyone loves to moan about the "liberal media", but apparently when it comes to this story, they've got all the facts right!

I just seen a butterfly go by, it says lawcat on the wings,and it came from the hood and supports dysfunctional people whom point guns at the officers whom sworn to protect society,seriously lawcat,you need a labotomy. I bet you sag your pants and smoke milds..............

LawCat,

The "racist" card doesn't work with me. Been played too much. Print me a t-shirt with it emblazoned across it, I will wear it. Just make it XL to fit over my Glock.

@spd3333, clearly you do not understand police training. It has nothing to do with hitting the target as you suggest. Offers are trained to fire off several rounds very quick to subdue a person. They do not stand there like a sharpshooter and fire off one round at a time and wait to see of the criminal keeps firing back.

And the reason these guys and yourself are not from Mogadore is because to live here you must work a job. To you lawcat.Now go hang with your homies and let us functional citizens speak among and enjoy w/out you hood rat supporters go hold a candle with the rest of your family........

@justlistening, if you pull a gun out in a confrontation with police, you are a thug. A "good" man does not ignore police orders and try to play wild west in the streets.

@LawCat, court records and the police audits into this situation were and are publicly available - many of them on the 'net.

Hey, I just figured it out! Marco LAWCAT Sommerville! And you thought you could fool us you cool cat you! Nice try wrong guy.

@Glock20 Theres someone thats really really keen, i seen lawcats true identity BAM, just like you glock20,help lawcat understand we dont hang on arlington street @ 3 am even if we go to the airport.

Thank YOU gain some more reality,lawcat hasnt responded either marco needed a cup of coffee or he or she is in the webster lookin faw sum moor big words. Lawcat what piece of ........

PEOPLE WHO PULL GUNS ON COPS, SHOULDN'T BREED !!!

www.akronwatch.org

@ justlistening - The fact that he had a gun and didn't follow police instructions, is reason enough to earn a label.

I understand y'all are a relative, and therefore unwillin' to admit that Stephens made a huge error in judgement. The first error was to carry the gun, the second was to not follow the police commands.

Too much focus is on the number of shots fired by the police. Iff'n it was only one, he'd be jes' as dead.

ok i see where this is going we elect officials to do a job and thats to be equal in all standings whether there white or black. Listen loser when anyone has the right as i thought to be citizens and to protect there home or persons from any harm not to commit a crime but to have the right to some sense of security.so if some one shoot at your home or business u going to protect it right ok then so just the same for the bro who may have had a gun but did not raise it to the police there was misconduct on the police behalf cause the man was clueless as to what was going on at the time when the police stop him and he probably wanted to let them know he was armed by taking the gun out so they wouldn't shoot him instead they loaded on the man 22times that is called an over kill un justified sorry it really is, and for the other situation with the Vinson case there is no one in there right mind is going to shoot themself cause they have a gun while being reprimanded by officers unless they had done something horribly bad and from what i understand he had done nothing wrong.I believe u made a bad statement on either cases.

@shrtymack332000: Your ignorance and lack of punctuation gave me a headache. I will skip any comments by you from now on.

also for our CouncilMan Mr.Sommerville hes doing his job for the community andhas been for year ya know that so why badger a man of good standings we know all situations can't be fix by him but he can make tru act in and on the behave of our community. So We do need to lean on him to get things done to stop the behavior by going to the Mayor's office and Pleading our cases to the right people who have control in doing so

If you truly want to support APD. Lets send a message to the most biased newspaper in the state! Do what I did, CANCEL your subscriptions. They will ask you why when you do. Tell them your supporting the Akron Police Department. Your supporting the men and women of blue who work to protect your lives and families every day and night!
And finally lets vote out the mayor so we can also get rid of the true racist Marco Sommerville!

IS it Marco? Oh my bad, i thougt it was Al Sharpton or Jesse or something like that.Well he reminds me!

I wonder if the DOJ will investigate the shooting in Ellet, where a white male fired upon APD officers and was also shot and killed. It was learned that the suspect sufferred from mental illness. DID NAMI STORM CITY HALL- no!!!!
Would they investigate when Bernard Woods, a black man with felony warrants, fired upon and shot a black APD officer and a white cop too.
I also think the black male fugitive who holed up in the Red Roof Inn in Montrose several years ago came out shootin'. I remember he was capped by dozens of bullets from several SWAT cops there to arrest him.

Here's what the result of this DOJ inquiry will show. Marco is no Al Sharpton and he should concentrate on bettering this city instead of bowing to racial pressure and attacking the police. If APD gets subjected to a "consent decree", crime will explode because NO OFFICER- black, white or other- will bother stopping anyone at 3AM because it will be paperwork until 5AM just for making the stop on a black kid.

Personally, I have seen way too many white cops being friendly with blacks in the community for this "distrust" to cover 100% of the black community. I think it's time Marco, the auditor, the DOJ guy and anyone else to ride down to Cole Ave. and Marcy; to Madison Ave. and Peckham, and get out of a cop car where there are 100 black kids fighting, gunshots and rocks thrown at the cops. Or how about downtown Akron after the bars let out on the weekend. Look at how the police handle groups of 500-1000 rowdy drunks leaving the bars. Most disperse. Many exchange pleasantries with the cops. A few get themselves arrested.

Until you take responsibility for your own, do not fuss, whine and cry when he or she gets in a fight, gets arrested or gets worse. Teach responsibility, ethics and right over wrong. Don't preach "the game" and "stop snitching." Be legitimate and act like a responsible person in a functioning society- like the rest of us!!!!

Next time police respond to a call like the Stephens incident, they should stop at all red lights, no lights or siren, park a couple blocks away and wait for the "innocent, lawabiding" citizens to quit shooting. Then, call Marco and have him get out first and straighten out what is going on--oh, and tell Marco to pack his heat.

At Shauna....ask yourself this....if the cops shot a white guy 22 times, would there of been a march?! I think not. The blacks can sure dish it out, but when it comes down to it, they cry foul everytime and want people to feel bad for them. It's not my fault I did good in school, got a good job, have a stable family, don't do drugs or break the law. Is that because I'm white? Well, my parents were white, only had 2 kids, didn't do drugs or break the law, and taught me to work hard for what I want...not to steal it! Akron is a hell hole...if I didn't work for the city, I DEFINATELY wouldn't be living in this crappy city....I would be living in a WHITE community. :)
Thanks and have a nice day

@bobbyg: Give up your sparring with lawcat. You're in way over your head! It kind of reminds me of a third grader debating a Rhoades scholar. In case you don't know it...your the third grader!

@Gain More Reality: I was getting my facts from the article. It said he was SHOT 22 times.

The comments here are proof that racism is still prevalent. It's not stretch to believe that it exits in the APD.

spelling correction:"YOU'RE the third grader".

Marco should being screaming out to his 'people' to show respect, be kind to one another, take care of their kids, get involved in the kids' school, get a job, get an education, stop embracing the 'thug life'.

Must be san diego black joe!!!!!!1

Sorry bobby. You're wrong again, I'm not black, just a heck of a lot more tolerant than you.

Why is it that no one is questioning the type of influence that Marco Sommerville is providing the city of Akron? This man is a "leader" in our community? I don't see anything but an instigator. If he was interested in facilitating improvement at all in this community he would reserve comment until he had all the facts, but he doesn't. He is right there feeding the fire. His particular brand of politics is counter productive to improving anything! All he does is stir the pot. Case in point, his comments regarding the rally in support of the Akron Police Depertment. White people and they could have started a riot? Does he think before he speaks? And he is critical of the timing and personal tone of the rally. He makes things personal everyday. I have never heard about anything else that Council President Sommerville has done, except be critical every thing the APD does. How is that helping because it seems to me that his full time job is the prosecution of the Akron Police Department. I've never heard a suggestion from him on how to improve this situation. All he undermine the Akron Police Department's ability to do their job. So here's your investigation Mr. Sommerville ... don't pretend it wasn't your goal all along. What will your next move be when you don't get the answer that you want?

just like anywhere in the world there will be good cops and those who think they are god when they get a badge i hope the bad ones are weeded out i grew up in Akron and always thought the police department was over there heads and shady at least

how did they think they could avoid it.should have happened 30 years ago.thats what.............racy says

Eric Holder loves this kind of stuff. These people MUST be victims - I mean the police shot them.

Oh - they pulled guns.

Am glad the US DOJ is investigating these issues - wonder why the ABJ staff left out the homicide of Mark Mcullough - to me this is the most important thing to investigate - how the visting judge let the deputies walk? COmments are important on this issue - he was white could that be it?

It's not a racial thing. The Akron cops are thugs who exploit the unwitting and vulnerable for their own personal gain. I've seen the torture they've done to prisoners - them and the county deputies. I'd be glad to testify to the Feds or anyone else . . . of course they'd say I'm an ex-con and you can't believe anything I say - truth is: you can't believe anything the thug cops say.

Mikestoned 1974 how do we as citizens stop this sickness or as our posts are now monitored in the process? Come on people how can you support abu graib in Akron or anywhere else for that matter - a Sergeants can of peeper spray etc. and these A- holes walk? SHould I be afraid to speak my mind as my IP address is now registered as well as everyone else in this discussion = lets hope not?

"The Akron cops are thugs who exploit the unwitting and vulnerable for their own personal gain."Well, then, Mike born to stoned parents in 1974, when some well mannered, upstanding socialite rapes your wife, jacks your grandpa's car and sticks a 9 against your head for $35.00, call someone else for help. Get your heat and handle it yourself. Marco will be pleased. Start the war the ABJ is pushing for here in Akron. Maybe if these thug cops don't respond for you, they could actually enjoy more discount donuts. You posters assume that a cop drinking a cup of coffee is as illegal as......carrying a loaded gun into an airport!!!Maybe they could just go home and play PS3 for 8 hours, like many of the other thugs in this town. I am also sorry you are an ex-con. What did the cops put on you that so wronged you into a felonious record? You cannot talk to the feds and get your GSI expunged, so sorry. Fire one up, tilt back that Henney and keep playin' Madden. Your past actions hold you responsible and gave you a label. My labels are husband, father, community leader, responsible neighbor and taxpayer. Leave reality to the rest of us stuck here in this city watching out for the criminal element- black or white.

MARCO. IT ISN'T THE 60's ANYMORE. Stop playing the 'blacks are victims' race card. It is old and tiring. Time for a new call for your 'people', many of whom in this town embrace thug life. When you have volunteers calling moms of kids at Stewart Primary "get up, take your child to school today', you have more of a problem in your community than police.

Wonder if they'll investigate Homeland Security for confiscating his gun?

I just had a terrible thought. In the unlikely event that the Mayor were actually recalled, wouldn't the Council President then become Mayor?

Racist, oops I mean Old Man Grump and Kiznev...color has nothing to do with criminal activity (criminals exist in all races, including the human race)and it should have no bearing on the response of an officer.

Let us not forget that a gun being pulled on an individual can and will evoke a response that will not always have a positive outcome (or may appear extreme). If someone were trying to hurt me, I would want to make certain they can not hurt me and it may not be pretty...

Criminals tend to be irrational and do things that do not result in a positive outcome. However, there are inappropriate individuals in all professions and everyone is not cut out for everything. So whether its a criminal or an officer, we cant argue that everyone should be behind a gun.

Let us not forget that this is our community...and as long as we continue to split ourselves this type of nonsense will evolve...criminals exist at all levels, professions, and in all races (as does ignorance)but we continue to make excuses for the next man...excuses are tools of incompetence and build monuments of nothingness...

Kudos to all the punks that are weak citizens and can hide behind this forum and do nothing to improve the world we live in literally...GREAT JOB LOSERS!!!

I am so tired of listening to the "African-American" card being played! Does that make you feel better to be called African American (although I am not sure why you are called that... if you did NOT come directly from Africa you are simply an American like the rest of us...but that's not good enough for you is it???)
Fact is..the cops were justified in shooting this guy, what exactly did "commando Joe" expect when he pulled a gun on cops? Typically isn't that called "suicide by cop"? You don't have to "like" the cops in this city...AS LONG AS THEY DO THEIR JOB!! Does everyone in your work like you (for those that work)? It's a profession that they have chosen, true enough, but do you really think that it's one that deserves to be spat at, called names, flipped off, and in danger with every single stop? You couldn't pay me enough to be a cop in this city! Maybe they do act arrogant and self centered at times...rather they do that than act as cowards when I need them! This is a profession that has lost so much respect from the public it truly is pathetic! As far as the "race card" being thrown...listen, I did nothing to you, your parents, your grandparents, your great grandparents, etc. and I owe you NOTHING!!! Do what the rest of us do and WORK FOR WHAT YOU WANT! Oh I forgot why should you have to when you have it handed to you because of your skin color...don't believe me??? Let's give some examples....NAACP, UNCF, Black Miss-America (which I find funny that blacks are allowed into the Miss USA pageant because that would be "racist" if it were called the White Miss America Pageant).... need I go on? And what is it that "whitey" has for himself??? While you ponder that answer me this... who is really the racist???

WOW- All I can say for some of these comments....

maxwell tell us how you really feel, lol.

i gotta say though, you make some excellent points.

i guess i've never experienced the things you guys have with the APD.. my encounters with them have always been pleasant, aside from 1-2 speeding tickets in the last couple years. i even had one cop that didnt give me a ticket because i was speeding to see a newborn baby at the hospital. not only did he not give me a ticket, he told me a faster way to get to a better parking spot.

im thinking the ones with a bad taste in their mouth with the akron pd just may be the ones doing bad enough things to get arrested.

This is all B.S.,,,,APD is a good bunch,, I've lived where the cops were the biggest crooks of all (New Orleans)
Get a grip, get a job, don't commit crimes and you won't get killed.
Pretty simple actually.

No Mike comments were not left out on Mark McCullaugh but the white community sees only two black families complaining and ran away with that; I posted on this last nite but my post must have been censored cause I have yet to see it!

Better watch what you ask for with the DOJ comin' to town. When and if a consent decree is put in place, one can bet your local police dept. that many of you don't trust will be nowhere to be found when you need them. The little hood rats will be runnin' wild and you can bet no police officer will bother them.

@ Racialrealist
No white people don't riot. They go on shooting rampages and kill anybody on site. Whether it's at a school, McDonald's or their own dang on family.
Wasn't it you that also gestured that when crime happens in the suburbs it because they don't get a chance to riot? I get on these post just to antagonize ignorant people just like you.

Marks Mom,

What is the address of the church on Wooster road? Will try and be at the rally but probably will not be able to attend as have prior commitments. Also is there any way that what you submitted to the DOJ could become public record in one form or another so someone could create a website and post the contents for everyone to see?

Gildee who knows with the censorship and the ABJ - interesting enough the new policy on having to register was instituted during the court proceedings relating to Deputy Krendick and the others - am glad though this has not stopped people like us from having the courage to speak our minds - the truth - and without fear of reprecussions? Lets hope so as freedom of speech and fourth ammendment rights may soon be a thing ot the past.

The DOJ has a job to do and it is to investigate police and sheriff departments. This is the job they do. The police departments should be happy they are doing that job. Just as the Akron police should be happy doing their job. Everyone has to answer to someone and the police departments has to answer to the community and the DOJ.

If the Akron police did nothing wrong they need not worry. Isn't that what they tell us when they pull us over? When they violate the 4 admendment.

From what I read on here from police I see they dont like being made accountible.

Number one Marco the white protest was for Just reason. Number 2 white people have not rioted in ages. We are smarter than that.

Number 2 Marco. Demetruis Vinson had a gun in his hand and he was coming from a crack house. Thank God the policemen defended himself from this CROOK.

Numbed 3 Stephens. yOU CANNOT FIX STUPID

Cannot wait to get rid of Marco and Plusquellic. 2 Major reasons why Akron is a welfare city

Steel6 - I agree...it's going to come down to "enough people crying foul" that the cops aren't going to touch a call unless it's a dog barking or something (maybe not even then for fear of the owner calling him a "dog hater" and suing). Has nobody realized what this issue is.. it's about a man coming out of a crack house with a gun drawn on cops!!!! I am supposed to think that this is a "racial issue" because he happened to be black and was shot??? GIVE ME A BREAK!!! I don't give a sh*t what color he was...the cops have a right to defend themselves....or maybe we should have just let him go ahead and shoot the cops because they were white and didn't really belong in that neighborhood?? Hey better yet...let's just set up gun stores like lemonade stands and issue them to whoever wants one?

LEO Wife - thank you for your response. You are spot on with your comments.

To those who think the DOJ is going to side with you: What are you going to do when the DOJ says the APD is right?

Who are you going to complain to then? The Pope!

I think not!

MarksMom, spend your time bringing CHANGE to our prisons in Ohio. Get an education of the funding of the jails. Prisons are given a set budget every year for medical services (including mental health). When the money runs out, time to cut back. In an ideal environment, the mental health unit of the jail would run like a mental institution for the criminally insane. However, there is NO money for this or for training guards to work the unit. So, the mentally ill (who at one time would have been committed to Fallsview) are left in a place that only punishes with the hope inmates will never want to return. Our Ohio prisons are not funded to be a mental health facility.
** As for the relation of your case vs, the two listed, your case involves prison. Not two guys with guns and the police defending themselves. I wonder if you still are trying to grab the spotlight any way you can. **

I've walked this earth for 5 decades and then some. Never had a problem with the law, I obey it. The times I've been stopped or approached by the cops, I've done what was asked. Never ran from them, never was high/drunk/stupid and wanted to debate my rights there on the street. Taught my sons and daughters the same. None have had any trouble. Where were the parents (mother and father in the same house) when these dead fellas were being raised?

@HONDACBX...These are good points but doesn't have anything to do with the situations.

Each policeman has been charged with wrong doing....who raised them?

@gildee: "Each policeman has been charged with wrong doing"

Charged in what case? By what court? Or is it the usual whinners and cryers talking among themselves? While these criminals are running around without applying lessons the mother and father should have taught them, most of us are dodging their bullets and bitter attitudes. I am thankful the APD shoots before being shot, I'd do the same, and suspect you would too. How you are raised has everything to do with these situations and how you behave.

the us needs to take a closer look at somerville,,there are alot of drugs that passes through his hands along with guns...