Kent Police Department

Police departments in Northeast Ohio are not immune to the national police shortage that some are calling a crisis. Departments in the region range from being barely fully staffed to needing to hire up to 40 more officers. The issue stems from a combination of retirements, resignations and lackluster recruitment.

The man allegedly involved in a hostage situation in Kent has been identified as 27-year-old Kent resident Christopher Carter.Kent police arrived at the…