Like many cities across the United States, Akron is experiencing a spike in gun violence and crime in 2020. According to recent statistics, the homicide rate in Akron is up 50%, and the amount of murders in 2020 has already matched that of 2019 (33).

The mayor of Akron, Dan Horrigan, called into the Ray Horner Morning Show to discuss the rise in shootings and homicides. Horrigan has deployed a gun violence task force to work with the communities in getting the illegal guns off the streets.

The mayor admits the pandemic and lockdowns may have exacerbated the crime spree, but he has noticed its uptick began before the thick of the virus.