HomeMy WebLinkAboutTFRGV Meeting Minutes September 9 2019September 9, 2019
Task Force to Reduce Gun Violence
Williams Memorial Baptist Church
7:00 PM
Meeting opened at 7:04 PM
Attendance:
Committee Members:
Vice‐Mayor Joe Cobb
Shakira Williams, Chair
Courtney Penn – Vice Chair
Taisha Steele ‐ Secretary
Ryan Bell
Bishop Jamal Jackson
Nicole Ross
Antwyne Calloway
Stacey Sheppard
Troy Gusler
Joshua Johnson
Natasha Saunders
Rabbi Kathy Cohen
Several guests attended
Welcome and Introductions – Shakira Williams, Chair
Shakira gave an opening, welcoming statement and thanked everyone for attending the meeting this
evening.
Approval of Minutes for August 12, 2019
Motion was made to approve the minutes by Nicole Ross, Vice Mayor Joe Cobb seconded.
Purpose & Review of Agenda ‐ Shakira Williams, Chair
Fed Up Presentation – Rita Joyce, Tracey Penn, Renea Taylor
Families Expecting Deliverance Using Prayer – Support group targeting families who have lost
loved ones to gun violence
Make connections with immediate families (go to funeral home, let people know there are other
people in the community, providing a group of love with pamphlets that talked about grief and
empowerment, embracing one another, host support groups, 24 hour mobile phone service for
families who needed someone to talk to, hosted events such as vigils, speakers, dances, balloon
releases, scavenger hunts, “Christmas of Hope”, stayed in contact with police to let them know
displeasure that murders were unsolved, met with attorney to try to get 501c3,
Funding came from personal sources, and community was great. Wal‐Mart, Kroger and local
companies
Started in 2006 and maintained for 6 years. Burned out because there were so few of them and
lack of funding, brochures, sponsors, toy donations, a location to meet, specialists and certified
counselors
School Safety Presentation by Chris Perkins, Chief of Security – Roanoke City Public Schools
Shakira Williams mentioned Roanoke Prevention Alliance will provide lock boxes for guns to anyone
who requests one.
Workgroup Activity – Everyone should sign up for a working group.
Below are the action items the group deemed as needing immediate attention:
1. Givens
2.Connected and Thriving Youth, Young Adults, and Families
3. Safer and Healthier Neighborhoods
4. Strong Community Engagement and Partnerships
Sept 23. Additional meeting was added for work groups, which begins at 6:30, location TBD. This is to
continue our efforts as working groups, and to get as much done as possible before our next public
hearing.
Upcoming Meetings Task Force to Reduce Gun Violence Meeting Dates
On June 3, 2019, City Council adopted Resolution No. 41454‐060319, appointing a task force to
review current community practices regarding reduction of gun violence and make
recommendations to City Council to further reduce incidents of gun violence within our
community.
October 17 ‐ Task Force to Reduce Gun Violence Public Hearing, 7:00 pm, (City Council
Chambers, Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Avenue, S. W., 4th Floor)
November 4 ‐ Task Force to Reduce Gun Violence Presentation to City Council, 2:00 p. m. (City
Council Chambers, Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Avenue, S. W., 4th Floor)
The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 pm.
Respectfully Submitted by:
Taisha Steele, Secretary