AKRON, Ohio — As many await a decision from the grand jury seated in the Jayland Walker case, the City of Akron has decided to take extra precautions.
The City of Akron announced that beginning Friday, April 14, at 5 p.m., public access to the Akron Municipal Building and Harold K. Stubbs Building on South High Street will be suspended until further notice.
The city noted that services will "continue as normal without interruption."
The decision was made based "for both the safety of city employees and the public, as well as the continuity of city operations," according to Akron officials.
The office of Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan also noted that the change will impact Akron City Council, which usually meets in person on Mondays at the Akron Municipal Building.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video at the top of the story previously aired on 3News on April 12, 2023.
Akron City Council meetings will be held virtually until the building reopens. Anyone interested in watching the city council meeting can virtually at akroncitycouncil.org.
On Wednesday, sources revealed to 3News that the Akron officers who fatally shot Jayland Walker will not testify in front of the grand jury. Law enforcement sources also told 3News that the special grand jury will not have a decision until next week.
In anticipation of the grand jury's final decision, downtown businesses are increasing security.
"The planned protests [are] not what we're worried about," Chris Sedlock, owner of Twisted Tomato and Daily Pressed, explained. "It's what happens after the protests, you know, at 2 in the morning when people are still out and they decide to loot and riot."
Ahead of the highly anticipated decision, the City launched AkronUpdates.com, where community members can sign up to receive email notifications for any updates, including safety information and road closures.