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Home My WebLink AboutGVPC Minutes 03.21.23Roanoke City Gun Violence Commission/ Community Stakeholders Meeting Meeting Minutes 3-21-23 530pm, Gainsboro Library Community Room Commissioners Present: Elliot Major, Tim Harvey, Decca Knight, Stacey Sheppard, Joe Cobb, Kathy Cohen, Nicole Ross, Eric Anderson, Shakira Williams Topic (Agenda Item) Notes from Discussion Roll Call See roll call above Quorum present Approval of Minutes from Feb. 2023 Motion: Tim 2nd: Nicole Motion passes Motion to allow Decca to attend remotely due to medical reasons/needs Motion: Kathy Second: Stacey Motion passes Old Business Marketing plan update via RFP plan with Engaged Strategies, Mike Bento along with 5points creative • Final stages of budget and plan preparation • Media campaign to June/July and end calendar year • Campaign will focus on resources and available help for reduction of GV • Presentation to be ready for council for presentation • Questions about RESET for part of the marketing strategy inclusion -Response from Mike Bento, yes, it is included as the “what’s good and, resources provided” Officers and elections: • It is time again to elect and have officers elected for the Board • This will need to happen at the next meeting as it should take effect in April New Business Gun Violence Prevention Framework Workshops • Monday April 10th Berglund Center 1pm-5pm (lower exhibition center) • Community workshop • i. Law Enforcement reporting ii. Gun violence commission prevention and efforts iii. Presentation of strategic plan to City Council iv. Star City Safe initiatives (reporting) Presentation- Roanoke City Schools Dr. Eric Anderson “Creating A Climate & Culture of Safety” (source School Climate & Safety, Dewey Cornell PHD UVA • Gun locks made available to students/parents 8,000 locks • Roanoke City Schools reading program • Overview of the #s for Roanoke City Schools 28 buildings • 24 schools, +4 specialized programs • 13,854 students • 2200 staff members (support, teachers, etc.) • School division invested 1.8 million to enhance safety • Recurring 1.1 million moving forward • Perception vs. reality (school violence is a microcosm of community violence) • Interconnected layers to help, EM mgt. Training & exercise, Physical Infrastructure, School Climate Safety i. Emergency Management, exercises, drills simulations, response with Fire, Rescue, Police ii. Training/Exercise, Best Practices, Go bags, no propped doors, buzzers, cameras, iii. Physical Inf.- safety and security investments iv. School Culture Climate- self reporting, reporting, human factors, relationships, changing culture, anonymous tip lines, trauma informed schools and settings, positive culture How can we help? Relationships, connections Question was asked about helping/treating children secondary to gun violence (survivors left behind) Dr. Anderson stated he make that a priority. Proposals to the Commission: 2nd round of mini-grants is on hold for the present time until protocols for soliciting proposals, evaluating applications and funding distribution are confirmed Two proposals: I. • VWCC; Employment & Workforce Development • Brian Wells, Hotel Roanoke & Culinary Schools VWCC • There are classes and they are not full and have room for growth • Three of the City cohort students have been successful/productive • Soft skills training, job training, interview trainings, knife skills, food safety certification, etc. • Identify Youth at risk youth • Chef Fred Brown, article shared- no high school degree, worked his way to executive chef • Program includes Chef Uniform, knives, materials, foods, 21k package (up to 12 students) • A cohort could be 6 months • There are opportunities for additional Manager Serve Safe certification, which is opening up other opportunities • Suggestions were made to ensure it is: Flexible (hours and accessibility), VWCC credit, youth and adults • Other options were provided for lower cost options (phase options) by Mr. Wells II. • FEDUP; Families Expecting Deliverance Using Prayer Response & Support to families experiencing gun violence • Opened in 2005 with very little funding • Now, in 2022 a 501c3- with the guidance of the Gun Violence Commission & Council of Community Services • Prayer Breakfast (memorial service for those lost to violence) June 3rd • Christmas of Hope (supporting children at Christmas, providing hope and supports) • Go Orange- Turn the City Orange for awareness and outreach, with a proclamation (first week in June, Sat June 4th) Schools, Agencies, everyone • 4th Tuesday of every month- grief support group for families effected by GV, largely attended 20+ with youth in attendance as well • Sustainability, funding is needed for payment to the counselor to keep it going • Sustainability, funding is needed for response and intervention to help prevent retaliation • Sustainability, funding is needed for outreach coordinator • Sustainability, funding is needed for development coordinator • Total request for priority 35k • Discussion was made into having a sustainability plan and, leveraging partners and tabling the request (short term) Roanoke Police Department Report Data: See handout RESET Update: Lloyd Merchant & Chris Robertson ● 5 area deployments ● GSW and a homicide ● 13 residents conversations (average @ each site) ● 800 block of Hunt Ave. comprehensive canvas, no significant areas were noted by neighborhoods ● Response to 3 juveniles with GSW, canvas talked with neighborhood ● Food Lion Peters Creek Road canvas with management and staff ● Homicide Feb 22 Ferncliff response, 3 vol. canvas (residents were frustrated) ● YMCA youth are provided access to for healthy activities ● 5 mentors at library for youth, continual ● Cohort 5, Youth Apprentice Program, Intend to hire 10 for a 6 mo. Program (This is posted until March 31 for applications and candidates) ● Challenges noted, retention and graduation rates due to support systems (transportation, emotional, coaching) ● Requirements for students, drug test, ID card, parent signatures ● Additional information provided on positive activities, boxing and athletics for youth who show up ● 20+ are showing up for YMCA and Norwich boxing Audit ● Drew Harmon, City Auditor, present to discuss requested City Audit ● Audit letter of engagement were distributed ● Web page on the city site (type auditor) ● This is out of ordinary audit, but with circumstances and community questions, council asked city to audit ● Auditor is appointed by Council ● Standards to follow, independent and objective ● (handout is provided to discuss audit review and what is to be evaluated) ● Ensuring agreements are addressing the federal agreements with performance and compliance ● “Job is not to second guess the commission but, to validate the process and ensure that there is a process” ● 5 staff within the office of auditor ● Question was asked as to the timeline, and, one could not be provided, a goal is June (Mr. Harmon notes there are many other projects in que as well) Announcements Talent in the star Friday 6pm March 24th Doors open @ 530pm Nicole has asked for a formal explanation as to why the voted 3k was not disbursed for the marketing April 18th next GVPC meeting Adjournment 803pm adjourn