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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGVPC Minutes 07.16.24 CITY OF ROANOKE Gun Violence Prevention Commission Tuesday, July16, 2024 5:30 pm Gainsboro Branch Library Roanoke, VA 24016 Cathy Cohen called the meeting to order at 5:32 pm. Roll Call Commissioners: Cathy Cohen, Tim Harvey, Elliot Major, Jared Rose, Elliot Major Zoom Participants: Eric Anderson, Catherine Koebel The minutes from June 18, 2024, were not approved due to a lack of a quorum. New Business 1. Eric Mayo, Local Violent Crime Funding and Program Management Coordinator for the City of Roanoke presented information on the Group Violence Intervention Program. He explained the GVI Problem Analysis is a set of action research exercises with knowledgeable frontline practitioners that produce a picture of local group violence dynamics. Through this process, new facts on the ground are created to provide a shared understanding of what violence looks like in a city. Mr. Mayo provided the Roanoke incidents from June 2022 to February 2024, which included 32 Homicides and 74 Nonfatal Shootings. It was noted that during the study period, 8th street in Roanoke has been by far the most active group. They were involved in 12 incidents as victims and 14 incidents as suspects. Summary of Findings: • Roanoke has 5 active groups that consist of approximately 115 group members. • Groups that represent 0.12 % of Roanoke’s overall population are involved in at least 44% of the city’s recent homicides and nonfatal shootings. • 86% of the individuals involved in group violence are males that vary in age. • Group violence disproportionately impacts black residents but also involves individuals of other races. Mr. Mayo concluded his report by listing the following recommendations for the RPD: • Meet regularly with state, federal and surrounding partners to build out intelligence regarding emerging threats or groups and identify “impact players” • Enhance shooting /critical incident reviews and assess group or gang dynamics • Continue to identify data driven hot spots and increase patrols in those areas • Conduct custom notifications and call-ins to put impact players on notice while offering services that change behavior Catherine Kobel asked about the funding for relocation which ended on June 30th. She stated we need to be considerate of things we are not sustaining. Tim Harvey asked who monitors or keeps up with grants pertaining to gun violence. Angie O’Brien provided a brief overview of the city’s process for obtaining and monitoring grants. Old Business 1. Reports a. Roanoke Police Department -Captain Puckett i. Monthly report was provided to commissioners, which included 17 aggregated assaults, 11 active cases with the majority occurring in NW, 5 homicides compared to 12 last year. ii. Chief Booth commented we are doing better than last year. Community engagement remains at the forefront, focused and intentional. b. – Chris Roberts i. It’s about coaching the team at this point to make sure the staff reach their goals. c. RESET – Lloyd Merchant i. RESET was deployed 4 times in June. On June 5th they were deployed to Williamson Road for gunshot wound, they met 48 individuals and passed out 6 gunlocks. The business community expressed the desire to have more police presence. On June 12th there was a homicide which involved a juvenile. They interacted with 60 residents, passed out 9 gunlocks, and 12 ID kits. The police department had a big interaction with youth during this deployment. On June 20th RESET was deployed to Floraland Ave, interacted with 16 residents, passed out 4 gunlocks and 6 ID Kits. Residents expressed concerns about speeding vehicles and homelessness at Huff Lane Park. RESET responded to an aggregated assault in NE, they received support from various agencies during this deployment. They encountered 19 individuals, passed out 5 gunlocks, and 8 ID kits. Residents had concerns about speeding vehicles. ii. RESET initiatives: Youth and Young Adult Mentorship Program, Counseling and Therapeutic Services, Boxfit Program, Library and YMCA d. Start City Safe – Jeffrey Powell i. Currently working on the summer program. Christ Roberts will start working with the program. Commissioners will receive invitations to the December graduation. Currently serving 300-400 students per week. The various programs combined can reach over 1000 students per week. e. Parks and Recreation – Milton Hardy i. They are currently signing up youth for soccer, flag football and cheerleading. Every Thursday they play basketball with young people. It doesn’t appear that the change in RCPS start times has negatively impacted youth athletics. Baseball has increased from 12 – 150 children. The goal is to always have something for youth to do. Kathy Cohen expressed concern with fewer children signing up for recreational sports in NW compared to the other quadrants. Mr. Hardy explained there is financial assistance for students that can be found on PlayRoanoke.com. Announcements • National Night Out on August 6 at McCadden Park. o Commissioners in the past have gone and passed out gun locks. • Next meeting is on August 20 at the Williamson Road Branch Library. Meeting Adjourned at 7:05 pm.