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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTask Force to Reduce Gun Violence Recs 1017191 TASK FORCE TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE PUBLIC HEARING RECOMMENDATION RESPONSE October 17, 2019 OVERVIEW 1. Task Force Formation This task force was created by the Roanoke City Council, through Resolution No. 41454-060319, on June 3, 2019, in response to incidents of gun violence in the City of Roanoke and to substantially reduce these incidents. 2. Task Force Purpose The purpose of this task force is to consider current practices within the City of Roanoke to address gun violence, review alternatives that have been utilized in other communities, and make recommendations to City Council to implement tangible, meaningful and transformative actions to reduce gun violence within the City. 3. Task Force Goals A. To build safer and healthier communities B. To increase strong community engagement, partnership and education C. To increase thriving and connected families, youth, and young adults D. To reduce recidivism and gang violence E. To increase coordination of city services and planning F. To increase stakeholder and media partnerships through comprehensive marketing campaign 4. Recommendations 1. Proposal to extend the work of the task force past November 4th recommendation deadline To Build Safer and Healthier Communities 2. Propose a community walk of silence from MLK Bridge to the City Christmas Tree (Bridging the Community Gap) on December 12 3. Propose a Kindergarten Reading Project to increase empathy and create kindness using the “Little Blue Truck” 4. Propose a city wide “Potluck” which strengthens relations in Roanoke City Neighborhoods To Increase Strong Community Engagement, Partnership, and Education and Thriving and Connected Families, Youth and Young Adults 5. Propose a city-wide educational program that increases child self-awareness, self-confidence, self-love, empathy, and the value of human life 2 6. Increase Parental support of the RCPS gun safety pledge and current community locked gun safety program s to help raise awareness of suicide and accidental loss of life due to children’s access to guns. 7. Increase stakeholder participation in the project child safe initiative To Reduce Recidivism and Gang Violence 8. Encourage greater collaboration between the task force and RPD to increase task force education and awareness on location, structure, and activities of Roanoke City gangs 9. Create a system with police assistance which encourages area gangs to p ractice and maintain non-violence within their neighborhoods 10. Work with the Roanoke City Jail to introduce programs, education, counseling and spiritual guidance to improve odds of reducing recidivism 11. Upon exit from jail/prison, encourage the jail to assist in finding job opportunities, peer to peer counseling, and housing opportunities 12. Propose halting child support during incarceration with judicial support and backing (incentive - based program) 13. Create more peer recovery career positions for returning citizens (previously incarcerated) To Increase Coordination of City Services and Planning 14. Recommend a 24-hour RAPID response team and conflict resolution center with live and text- based hotline for immediate response, anonymous tips, and crisis intervention utilizing the Cure Violence public health model 15. Recommend complete collaboration with local hospital and law enforcement systems 16. Recommend that newly funded RESET grant position and team work directly with the Task Force to collaborate on gun violence reduction efforts 17. Recommend that FEDUP be sponsored to 501c3 status to assist in RAPID Response after care efforts To Increase Stakeholder and Media Partnerships through Comprehensive Marketing Campaign 18. Recommend the development, implementation, funding and sustainability of a comprehensive communication and marketing campaign designed to support the work of the task force and its partners to reduce gun violence in the city. Marketing Strategies to include but not limited to research, focus groups, partnerships and alliances, and development of PSAs and resources. 5. Potential Stakeholder Partnerships Carilion, 211, Roanoke City Police Department, Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare, Roanoke City Public Schools, TAP, Roanoke City Council, Roanoke City Neighborhood Associations, Goodwill Youth HQ, Community Solutions Center, and additional identified partners.