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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStudy Committee to Reduce Gun Violence Council Presentation 11-16-2020Study Committee to Reduce Gun Violence Update for City Council November 16, 2020 Brief History 2 February 2019 •Annual Public Safety update to Council •Conversation with City Manager and Mayor March 2019 June 2019 •Task Force Formation •Official Resolution •Meetings and Formation of Recommendations July 2019 November 2019 •Roanoke Remembers •Presentation to City Council of Recommendations February 2020 November 2020 •Resolution to form Study Committee to Reduce Gun Violence to develop recommendations into action steps •Community Stakeholder Meeting •Virtual Meetings of Study Committee and Working Groups (due to Covid-19) November 2020 •Update to City Council on Top Priorities and Action Steps Current Realities 2020 •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 51 Incidents of Gun Shot Wounds: 3 Safer and Healthier Neighborhoods Top Priority 4 Safer and Healthier Neighborhoods: Top Priority 5 1. Interactive Community Story-telling Public Art Project 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. will expand what we learn in Phase 1 through personal interviews. Additional Priorities: Bridging the Community Gap Event, December 10 and completion of Educational Video featuring “The Little Blue Truck” teaching K-3 values of self-worth, empathy and kindness in building healthy relationships. Increase Strong Community Partnerships and Education Top Priority 6 Increase Strong Community Partnerships and Education: Top Priority 7 Vetting curricula for best practices on educating youth on empathy in relation to prevention and intervention in trauma 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 decisions. 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. Reduce Gang Activity, Violence, and Recidivism Top Priority 8 Reduce Gang Activity, Violence, and Recidivism: Top Priority Gang Violence Reduction 9 To review and adopt a Comprehensive Gang Model to include specific strategies to raise awareness of and strategies toward reducing gang activity and violence. •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 to belonging and success •Create and train a mentoring team of these individuals to build relationships with youth •Hire a Youth and Gang Prevention Coordinator Reduce Gang Activity, Violence, and Recidivism: Top Priority Recidivism 10 Incarceration Recidivism Efforts •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 Increase Coordination of City Services and Planning Top Priority 11 Increase Coordination of City Services and Planning: Top Priority 12 To plan and implement a 24-hour quick response and crisis intervention protocol for gun violence. •Work with RESET Grant Community Mitigation and Volunteer Coordinator •Create comprehensive list of services and resources available to families impacted by trauma •Create a virtual support group for victims of gun violence •Assist FEDUP organization to become 501 (c) 3 •Explore creation of safe houses for individuals and families experiencing effects of gun violence (partner with TAP DV model) Increase Community Engagement and Media Partnerships Top Priority 13 Increase Community Engagement and Media Partnership: Top Priority 14 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. Why Community-Based Violence Intervention Programs Work? Potential to deter high risk individuals from engaging in violent acts involving firearms. Help to resolve potentially violent and/or deadly disputes before they occur. Connect them to education, employment, mental health, social, housing, and family services. 15 Summary 16 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 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) 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 THANK YOU!