HomeMy WebLinkAboutStudy Committee to Reduce Gun Violence Update to City Council 11162020 1
Study Committee to Reduce Gun Violence
Report to City Council
Monday, November 16, 2020 – 2:00 pm session
Priorities and Action Items – November 2020
Summary of Work to Date
The Task Force to Reduce Gun Violence was created on June 3, 2019 by City Council
in response to increased incidents of gun violence in our community. The task force,
now called the Study Committee to Reduce Gun Violence, is comprised of members of
the community including educators, health care professionals, trauma-informed
professionals, law enforcement and first responders, youth mentors and citizens who
lives are directly impacted by gun violence. The Task Force made its original
recommendations to City Council on November 4, 2019.
The Study Committee’s purpose is to study, develop, and recommend strategies for
consideration by City Council for implementation to reduce gun violence within the City
of Roanoke. Additionally, our efforts are focused on creating meaningful, tangible and
transformative programs and strategies designed to invest in our community’s brightest
and best resources – our children, youth and families – to provide multiple paths to
success and ways to belong and grow that are life-giving and life-sustaining.
The Study Committee convened Comm unity Stakeholders on February 24, 2020 to
identify and engage community partners in addressing the recommendations in five key
areas: Safer Neighborhoods, Education, Reducing Gang Activity, Violence and
Incarceration Recidivism, City Service and Rapid Response, and Communication and
Marketing. Due to Covid-19, the Study Committee and Working Groups resumed
meetings virtually in July 2020 to build out the recommendations into key priorities and
action steps.
Current Realities
During every meeting we receive updates on local data from the Roanoke Police
Department’s I-Star crime analysis team regarding incidents of violent crime in our
community, with a focus on incidents of gun violence. In 2020, we have seen a
significant increase in incidents of gun violence, with 10 homicides, 40 aggravated
assaults and 1 domestic aggravated assault related specifically to incidents where the
victim was hit by gunfire.1 This compares with a year-to date total of 13 homicides, 164
aggravated assaults and 48 domestic aggravated assaults.2
1 Gun Violence Data 11.12.2020, Roanoke Police Department, I-Star Crime Analysis Report, presented to
Study Committee to Reduce Gun Violence.
2 Ibid.
2
A three-year comparison where victims were hit by gunfire shows 8 homicides in 2018,
11 in 2019 and 10 in 2020. Aggravated Assaults were 36 in 2018, 23 in 2019 and 40 in
2020. Domestic Aggravated Assaults show one for each year.3
During our recent meeting on Friday, November 13, we received the following
information related to incidents of gunshot violence with a confirmed or suspected
connection to gang activity and violence:
51 Incidents of Gun Shot Wounds:
31 (78.4%) victims and/or suspects with confirmed connection to a gang
9 (17.6%) victims and/or suspects with suspected connection to a gang
11 (21.6%) victims and/or suspects with no connection to a gang
Through our community-based initiatives, combined with efforts in collaboration with the
Roanoke Police Department, and the Office of the United States Attorney for Western
Virginia, we are focused on a community-wide effort to focus on reducing gang activity
and violence and make every effort to keep our community safe and a place where all
citizens can feel safe, be healthy and thrive.
Study Committee Working Group Top Priorities and Action Steps
Safer Neighborhoods Working Group (Nicole Ross and Rev. Tim Harvey,
Facilitators)
Our primary purpose is to address the root causes that contribute to acts of violence
and to create meaningful and transformative efforts that, with community engagement,
will enhance Roanoke’s priority of safe and healthy neighborhoods. These priorities are
indicative of community-based programs that address prevention, strengthen and
sustain relationships, and enhance neighborhood livability.
TOP PRIORITY: Interactive Community Story-telling Public Art Project (in
collaboration with Roanoke Arts Commission) to hear stories of citizens
regarding community health and safety. We recognize that citizens of Roanoke
have different perceptions of safety based on life experience, and we also
believe in the power of storytelling to increase our understanding of what life is
like wherever we live within Roanoke. By learning of how we as a city can
deepen our understanding of community well-being and safety as a whole city,
we hope to broaden our imaginations on how we might collectively rise above
our challenges and build on our strengths.
Action Steps:
Phase 1 includes a mobile, interactive chalkboard where people will be able to
answer short questions about how they perceive the safety of their
neighborhoods. There will also be an opportunity to interact on a deeper level
through a smartphone app or some other internet-based device. We imagine
3 Ibid.
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the chalkboard being available at neighborhood association meetings, the high
schools, events at Elmwood Park, various libraries throughout the city, and other
such public gatherings (when it is safe to gather). Phase 2 will expand what we
learn in Phase 1 through personal interviews. The collected data will be
presented on an interactive GIS map available for all citizens to use, learning
about parts of the city with which they are unfamiliar and growing our mutual
understanding of each other’s lived experiences.
Additional Priorities and Action Steps:
Annual Bridging the Community Gap Anti-Violence program, December 10,
2020
Finish an Educational Video featuring “The Little Blue Truck” teaching K-3 values
of self-worth, empathy and kindness in building healthy relationships . The video
features community leaders as story tellers and will be available through
Roanoke City Public Schools and our city libraries.
Education Working Group (Taisha Steele and Decca Knight, facilitators)
Create a city-wide, family educational program that increases child and youth self -
awareness, confidence, love, and empathy in the value of human life, while
incorporating nonviolent and peer-mediation based practices, through utilization of
community partnerships.
TOP PRIORITY: Vetting curricula for best practices on educating youth on
empathy in relation to prevention and intervention of trauma related to gun
violence.
Action Step:
Work with Roanoke City Public Schools, a trauma-responsive school district, to
understand the social emotional needs of Roanoke’s youth. Social emotional
learning is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively
apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage
emotions, set and achieve positive goals, show empathy for others, establish and
maintain positive relationships, and make responsible d ecisions. Social
emotional learning is also a foundational aspect of a trauma-responsive
community. RCPS is currently assessing the SEL needs of its students in an
effort to properly align SEL curricula with student needs. Once RCPS has a
broad understanding of our youth’s SEL needs, we will be able to determine SEL
programming for our larger community. Such programming will address the
undercurrents of community violence with a particular focus on emotional growth,
empathy, and healthy relationships in the valley.
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Reducing Gang Activity/Violence and Incarceration Recidivism (Antwyne Calloway,
Rabbi Kathy Cohen, facilitators)
A focus on educating the community on the realities of gang activity and violence, along
with addressing recidivism for returning citizens who are experiencing transformation,
are two essential keys to reducing violent activity in our neighborhoods and city.
TOP PRIORITY: To review and adopt a Comprehensive Gang Model to include
specific strategies to raise awareness of and strategies toward reducing gang
activity and violence. (Completion date: End of January 2021)
Action Steps:
Identify and review three comparable localities with successful gang prevention
and reduction models
Identify persons in the community who have emerged from gangs and are
working to mentor youth into multiple positive pathways of belonging and
success
Create and train a mentoring team of these individuals to build relationships with
youth
Hire a Youth and Gang Prevention Coordinator to build relationships with
youth in the community, create educational programs for community partners on
practices to reduce gang activity and violence, train and coordinator mentoring
program, and facilitate creation of supportive programs for youth including
trauma resiliency and employment opportunities
TOP PRIORITY: Incarceration Recidivism Efforts
Action Steps:
Bring together community and regional re-entry program stakeholders to
determine if there is a coordinated comprehensive plan for offender reentry
Research and identify essential re-entry program needs for the Roanoke City Jail
and Regional correctional facilities
Create an education program for employers in the City of Roanoke regarding the
benefits of offering a second chance to offenders reentering the workforce
Review a summary of case law regarding child support and incarceration
Explore marketing opportunities around promoting the hiring of offenders
reentering the workforce
City Services and Rapid Response Working Group (Shakira Williams, Stacey
Sheppard – Facilitators)
To fully increase city-wide engagement in reducing gun violence, an evidence -based,
best practice model is needed. By adopting the Cure Violence public health model to
guide the planning and implementation of a RAPID response and crisis intervention
center. By providing persons’ in crisis with an immediate confidant trained to listen, de -
escalate, and connect with healthy resources, we can address simple hurts before they
become major crises. This strategy will require the collaboration, cooperation, and
coordination of all city services across the board.
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TOP PRIORITY: Create 24-hr Rapid Response Volunteer Team to provide wrap-
around services for individuals and families impacted by incidents of trauma
including gun violence
Action Steps:
Work with RESET Grant Community Mitigation and Volunteer Coordinator in
collaboration with City of Roanoke and Roanoke Police Department in response
to events of trauma related to violence. The Rapid Response team is compiling a
list of service providers and resources to leverage that will enable a coordinated
24-hour community response.
Create comprehensive list of services and resources available to families
impacted by trauma, along with a flyer for service providers to use for quick
reference in contacting resources
Create a virtual support group for victims of gun violence
Partner with the VA VICTIM Fund to utilize resources in place for victims and
families. Connections have been made and representatives are working with the
Roanoke area team to better utilize state resources. The team recently reviewed
resources and flyers provided by the VA VICTIM Fund
Assist FEDUP organization to become 501 (c) 3. This is a priority area as other
areas of interest hinge on this endeavor, (i.e., go fund me accounts and memorial
donations)
Explore creation of safe houses for individuals and families experiencing effects
of gun violence (partner with TAP DV model). Sheltering and relocation needs
are urgent in making sure families have options. This is a costly endeavor and
includes options for hotel, moving expenses, fuel cost, bus tickets, train tickets
etc.
Communications and Marketing Working Group (Courtney Penn, Chris Turnbull –
Facilitators)
Communicating effective messages is paramount for community buy-in and positive
community participation. Not only does communication need to be broad and
comprehensive, it must be accurate, honest and proportionate. Likewise, changing
attitudes towards gun violence is a long-term strategy that is most effective when
programing, public perception and aspirations are in alignment. Therefore, we
recommend the development and implementation 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.
TOP PRIORITY: Create a branded public influence, evidence-based marketing
campaign to reduce gun violence in the community (Virtual Strategic Planning
Session, December 3, 2020, 9-11 a.m. facilitated by Chris Turnbull, with Working
Group Leaders and Community Marketing Stakeholders)
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Summary
Why do community-based violence intervention programs work? By creating a
community-based framework of response, we create the potential to deter high risk
individuals from engaging in violent acts involving firearms, we help to resolve
potentially violent and/or deadly disputes before they occur, and we connect persons to
education, employment, mental health, social, housing, and family services that lead to
transformation of lives.
The work of the Study Committee is long-term and is in collaboration with community
stakeholders focused on prevention and intervention. This community wide effort is not
a sprint, but a marathon and community ownership of this work is essential in its
effectiveness
We are grateful for the hard work of the Study Committee members and all of our
community stakeholders. We are also grateful for citizen input and engagement in this
work. Together, we will create meaningful change that will reduce violence in our
community.
Study Committee Members: Shakira Williams, Chair; Courtney Penn, Vice Chair;
Taisha Steele, Secretary; Nicole Ross, Antwyne Calloway, Decca Knight, Rabbi Kathy
Cohen, Natasha Saunders, Jordan Bell, Irisha Goodman, Rev. David Jones, Joshua
Johnson, Bishop J.L. Jackson, Stacey Sheppard, Hannah Oakes, David Thomas, Dr.
Mark Hamill, Rev. Tim Harvey, Anthony West, Vice Mayor Joe Cobb, Mayor Sherman
Lea (ex officio)
Community Stakeholders: Carilion Clinic, Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates,
Goodwill Youth HQ, Youth Advocate Program, Roanoke Fire and EMS, Roanoke Police
Department, Trifecta, TAP (Total Action for Progress), Roanoke Arts Commission,
NuFocus Media, Family Service of Roanoke Valley, Points of Diversity, Roanoke City
Public Schools, Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Virginia, The Foundry, Carilion
Children’s Clinic, Smart Solutions, Department of Social Services-Department of Child
Support Enforcement, United States Attorney of Western Virginia, Dorcus Home, Youth
Haven, Virginia CARES, Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice, Virginia Department of
Criminal Justice Services, Council of Community Services, Carilion Trauma Services,
FEDUP, MetaPeace Team Roanoke Valley, Roanoke Sheriff’s Department, City of
Roanoke
Meetings:
The Study Committee meets virtually on the third Friday of each month. For more
information visit: https://roanokeva.gov/2542/Task-Force-to-Reduce-Gun-Violence