Ohio
New Ohio PD chief vows to prioritize community engagement, safety
By Molly Walsh
cleveland.com
AKRON, Ohio — Brian Harding, Akron’s acting police chief since January, officially became the department’s leader Tuesday.
Harding has led the force since Steve Mylett retired. He was named a finalist for the position in April.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik administered the oath at the Akron Civic Theatre’s Knight Stage.
“Never as a 21-year-old University of Akron student working at Swenson’s to help pay for college did I see myself as your chief of police, but I am truly humbled by the opportunity,” Harding said after being sworn in.
He was promoted to the position last week after a monthslong, controversial hiring process.
The city decided to hire internally after first announcing a nationwide search for the position. State and local laws do not give the city clear authority to hire from the outside, Malik said earlier this year.
The reversal drew criticism from residents, who pushed for a search that included racially diverse candidates.
Harding addressed the crowd Tuesday, thanking his family and city officials for support. He said his primary goal as chief of police is to foster meaningful relationships with residents.
“Regardless of what community you live in, your voice matters, and your concerns will be heard,” he said. “Building these relationships is just not about earning trust, it is about creating a shared vision for a safer, more prosperous future.”
Watch this video to learn from Gordon Graham about crafting a lasting legacy in policing, ensuring your career has a positive and enduring impact.
He also said he wants the department to focus on community engagement and reducing crime. He also plans to push recruiting and retaining officers.
“Community engagement is not a buzzword; it is the heartbeat of effective policing,” he said. “We must actively listen, learn and collaborate. I look forward to connecting. I will attend neighborhood events and engage with residents.
“I will seek out community leaders, faith-based organizations, schools, businesses and our youth to build partnerships. Together, we will identify priorities, address concerns and celebrate our collective success.”
Harding said he wants to create an environment where every resident feels valued and respected.
“Each member of the Akron Police Department family, every community member and all our stakeholders play a vital role,” he said. “Let us move forward together, united by a shared purpose to create a safer, more inclusive community.”
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Ohio
Sieh Bangura runs for 149 yards and a score, helps Ohio beat UNLV 17-10 in Frisco Bowl
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Sieh Bangura rushed for 149 yards and a touchdown and Ohio beat UNLV 17-10 on Tuesday night to win the Frisco Bowl.
The Bobcats (9-4) have won their last seven bowl games — dating to 2017 — after losing eight of their first 10.
Defensive coordinator and interim head coach John Hauser led Ohio to this victory after head coach Brian Smith was fired earlier in the month for having an affair with an undergraduate student.
Ohio’s Parker Navarro had a 5-yard touchdown run on a quarterback keeper five minutes into the second quarter for the only score of the first half. The lead was 6-0 after David Dellenbach’s extra-point kick hit the right upright.
UNLV (10-4) had a first down on the Bobcats’ 33-yard line with 32 second left, but DJ Walker picked off an Anthony Colandrea pass in the end zone to keep it 6-0.
Bangura scored on a 23-yard run less than four minutes into the third quarter, and Navarro passed to Chase Hendricks for the two-point conversion and a 14-0 lead.
Hendricks muffed a punt at the end of UNLV’s first possession and Kayden McGee recovered at the Ohio 30. The Rebels settled for a career-long 50-yard field goal by Ramon Villela to cut it to 14-3.
Dellenbach kicked a 45-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, but Colandrea scored on a fourth-and-goal run from the 2 to get the Rebels within 17-10 with 4:45 remaining. UNLV never got the ball back in falling to 4-4 all time in bowl games.
Navarro completed 11 of 15 passes for 143 yards with an interception. Bangura did his damage on 19 carries.
Colandrea totaled 184 yards on 19-for-30 passing.
UNLV had the nation’s longest run of scoring at least 20 points end at 35 games.
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Ohio
Ohio AG on human trafficking: It’s not rich and poor, it’s literally all around us
COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the second time in two years, the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force and the Steubenville Police Department have joined forces to combat human trafficking crimes.
In October, the operation led to the arrest of eight individuals for sex trafficking offenses, including men from Follansbee and St. Clairsville.
Earlier, in July 2024, 10 men from Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia were apprehended and charged with solicitation and possession of criminal tools.
“It just goes to show that human trafficking happens everywhere,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. “This isn’t a big city thing, it happens in small towns, it happens out in the country. It’s not rich and poor, it’s literally all around us.
“I am hopeful that the message is going out around Ohio and Steubenville and the Mahoning Valley — Don’t Buy Sex in Ohio!”
He also highlighted the support provided to survivors during these operations.
“We always have social service providers that partner with us that are on site. So, whether it’s something simple like a meal or a shower or something as necessary as an addiction treatment bed — we’re there to try and help provide the resource,” Yost added.
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For those affected by human trafficking, a victim services directory is available here.
Ohio
3 kids lead police on Ohio car chase after learning to steal vehicles on YouTube: officials
NEWBURGH HEIGHTS, Ohio — Three kids, ages 12, 11, and 8, led Ohio police on a chase in a stolen car on Saturday, according to police.
According to the Newburgh Heights Police Department, an 11-year-old was driving a car that was stolen from Parma, WEWS reported.
Officers chased the car on Harvard Avenue west over the Denison Bridge. Shortly after the chase began, the car crashed into a house on Denison Avenue, police said.
No injuries were reported.
Newburgh Heights PD said two brothers, an 8-year-old and an 11-year-old, along with a 12-year-old, began running from the police.
After police caught them, the kids told officers they watched YouTube videos to learn how to steal cars, police said.
According to the department, the boys were released to their parents, and police will file charges in juvenile court.
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