AKRON, Ohio — Summer is slowly making its way to Northeast Ohio, and for many kids, the warm weather signals the start of summer vacation.

On Thursday night, the Akron Police Department and community partners came together at Lock 3 Park to make sure area children kicked off their summer safely. The event, called "Cruise Into Summer," featured music, food, games, and a chance for kids to connect with first responders in a fun and welcoming environment.

Kids danced on the lawn while police officers joined the fun, some riding scooters clearly too small for them.

"More than anything, it's a community initiative," Akron Police Sergeant Utomhin Okoh tols 3News. "The community needs to come together and say, 'Hey, we do value our lives. We do value our community.'"

The event celebrated th

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