HomeMy WebLinkAboutGVPC Minutes 01.16.24 Gun Violence Prevention Commission
Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building
215 Church Avenue, SW, Room 364
Roanoke, Virginia 24011
540.853.2333
CITY OF ROANOKE
Gun Violence Prevention Commission
MINUTES
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
5:30pm
City Manager’s Conference Room
215 Church Avenue S.W. Suite 364
Roanoke, Virginia 24011
The purpose of the Gun Violence Prevention Commission is to study the issue of gun violence in the
community, recommend strategies for prevention, intervention, and response to reduce incidents of
gun violence and address its effects on the community, and to work with citizens and community
partners in developing programs that create meaningful opportunities for positive non-violent
pathways for health and wholeness.
1. Welcome (Chair) – Joe Cobb, Chair called the meeting to order at 5:30
pm.
2. Roll Call – Commissioners in attendance: Eric Anderson, Joe Cobb, Kathy
Cohen, Tim Harvey, Elliott Major, Shakira Williams; Guests included: Dr.
Cynthia Morrow, Kristin Adkins (Health Department), Molly Roberts
(Carilion Outreach), Valerie Koeppel, Victor Basham, Kristin Robey
(Carilion VIRS), Chief Scott Booth, Nancy Hans. Media representatives
were also present.
3. Approval of Commission Meeting Minutes from December 19, 2023 –
Minutes adopted (Kathy Cohen, motion; Tim Harvey, second)
4. Old Business
a. Gun Violence Community Assessment Update – Necole Holton-
Jacobs, Elite Business Strategies – Necole reported that outreach in
NW Roanoke continues and the last group of scheduled interviews
are being conducted as part of the community outreach. Of
community stakeholder surveys completed, 39% are from NW,
followed by 36% from SW. We are continuing to work with RCPS to
finalize a process to access youth voices and perspectives.
b. 2023 What’s Good, Roanoke Campaign Update – Mike Bento,
Engage Strategies – Mike reported that to date, the website has
received 3300 visitors. Social media posts are gaining traction, with
5 Points Creative and Tommy Page generating interviews with key
leaders in the community. One recent connection through the
website was made with a person who called regarding a relative
who needed a male presence in their lives as a mentor. Chris
Roberts and Lloyd Merchant made contact with the individual to
assess the family’s needs and to assign a mentor.
5. New Business
a. 2024 Gun Violence Prevention Commission Grants – Chairman
Cobb reviewed the process through which the proposed grant
recipients were selected and that once the grants were approved
and MOUs completed and funds distributed, then the grant
amounts would be shared. A motion was made by Tim Harvey to
approve the funding for the recipient agencies and seconded by
Elliott Major. The motion was approved unanimously.
6. A Conversation on Public Health and Gun Violence – Dr. Cynthia Morrow
and Kristin Adkins – Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Department,
Molly Roberts, Carilion Clinic Community Outreach
Key Conversation Points:
• Firearm morbidity and mortality are a public health threat
• Health: ability to function at one’s best – “a state of complete
physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity”
• Public health: the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging
life and promoting health – to assure the conditions that contribute
to these ends
• Firearm injuries are the leading cause of death among children and
teens (ages 1-19)
• Socially vulnerable communities in the U.S. experienced a
disproportionate number of assault-related firearm deaths among
youth (JAMA 2023)
• More people die from gun-related suicide than homicide
• Consequences of firearm violence are both traumatic and economic
in nature
• Dramatic increase in recent years in black youth suicides
• New Carilion Health Needs Assessment is nearing completion (done
every three years)
• To address public health realities contributing to violence, we must
continue to address root causes (providing a minimum/living wage,
adequate and appropriate housing, home visits to families change
dynamics and offer ongoing support)
• Pay attention to environmental factors as well – behavior is a result
of interpersonal relationships and environmental factors
Additional information can be found in the attached PowerPoint
presentation compiled by the health department.
7. Carilion Violent Injury – Recovery & Support Program and HVIP-Hospital-
based Violence Intervention Program – Valerie Koeppel, Carilion
Valerie introduced her two new Program Specialists – Victor and Kristin –
and gave an overview of Carilion’s new VIRS program (Violent Injury
Recovery and Support Program) which connects with patients through ED
and Admission who have experienced gun violence and/or traumatic
injury with bedside connection, resources, and direct follow up for up to
one year.
8. Reports (due to length of other items, these reports will be shared at next
meeting)
a. Roanoke Police Department Data Report – Chief Scott Booth
b. Youth and Gang Violence Prevention Unit Update – Chris Roberts
c. RESET Update – Lloyd Merchant
d. Star City Safe Update – Jeffrey Powell
9. Announcements
a. Next Meeting of GVP Commission, Tuesday, February 20, 2024,
5:30 pm at City Manager’s Conference Room, 215 Church Avenue
S.W. Suite 364
10. Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 pm.
The City of Roanoke provides interpretation at no cost for all public meetings, upon request. If you
would like to request an interpreter, please let us know at least 24 hours in advance by calling (540) 853-
1283.
La Ciudad de Roanoke proporciona interpretación sin costo por todas citas públicas, previa solicitud. Si
usted desea solicitar un intérprete, háganoslo saber con al menos 24 horas de antelación por llamar
(540) 853-1283.
Jiji la Roanoke linatoa huduma ya ukalimani bila malipo katika mikutano yote ya umma,
inapoombwa. Iwapo ungependa kuomba mkalimani, tafadhali tujulishe angalau saa 24 kabla kwa
kupiga simu (540) 853-1283.
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