Robbery, overdose deaths down in Akron; sex assaults, burglaries trending up

AKRON, Ohio (WOIO) - Akron Mayor Shammas Malik held a news conference Wednesday morning to release the latest crime data for the first half of 2025.

Malik also discussed ongoing violence intervention and prevention initiatives.

In the press conference, city officials compared data from the first half of 2024 to the same time period in 2025.

According to the mayor, rates of robbery, felony assault, overdose deaths, breaking and entering and auto theft are down this year compared to last.

There’s been an increase in firearm crimes, sex assaults and burglaries.

Murders in the city have remained steady at 12 deaths in both years.

Akron will soon have more officers in the fight against crime.

Twenty-nine cadets are due for swearing-in this Friday.