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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGVPC Minutes 08.20.24 CITY OF ROANOKE Gun Violence Prevention Commission Tuesday, August 20, 2024 5:30 pm Williamson Road Branch Library Roanoke, VA 24016 Tim Harvey called the meeting to order at 5:07 pm. Roll Call Commissioners: Tim Harvey, Eric Anderson, Amy Hodge, Catherine Koebel, Elliot Major, Robert Lamour, Jared Rose, Kathy Cohen Commissioners Virtual: Shakira Williams City Council: Joe Cobb City Staff: Angela O’Brien, Laura Carini, Christopher Roberts Roanoke Police Department: Captain Ashby, Llyod Merchant Elliot Major made a motion for Shikira Williams to participate virtually, it was second by Robert Lamour. All commissioners were in favor. The minutes from July 16, 2024, were adopted by unanimous vote (Catherine Koebel – Motion, Elliot Major – Second). New Business 1. Annual Adoption of the Electronic Participation Policy - Laura Carini This policy is adopted every July and allows commissioners to attend a certain number of meetings remotely for a specific reason based on state code and policy. Policy was adopted, all commissioners were in favor except for Kathy Cohen who abstained due to not being present for the discussion. 2. Recertification as a Certified Crime Prevention Community - Rebecca Duncan For Roanoke to be certified as a crime prevention community the Commission needs to have three set goals with objectives on how they plan to meet those goals. The strategic plan already lists the commission’s goals and objectives, but Elliot Major suggested the commission revisit the strategic plan. Kathy Cohen stated the new members also need an opportunity to review and discuss the goals in the strategic plan. Commissioners were asked to read the strategic plan and send questions to Angie O Brien. Rebecca Duncan would like to have this done in the next few months. It was agreed that this will be the main item in the September meeting. Angie O Brien emailed the strategic plan to commissioners. 3. Roanoke City Public Schools will provide an update on the Community Builders Program for 8th grade students in a future meeting. Old Business 1. Working Group Updates a. Community and Neighborhood Engagement No current updates b. Grants and Fund Development The committee hit a roadblock, but Vice Mayor Cobb is assisting. c. Education and Research Working on 3 projects: • Reformatting the RPD report to include a one-page summary • Creation of a gunlock ambassador program • Tree planting program, trees planted in memory of unsolved cases Reports 1. Roanoke Police Department Community Engagement – Captain Ashby The Gun Violence Statistics Report was provided to commissioners. Year to date Roanoke has 20 cases of aggravated assaults or homicides. When compared to last year at this time, there has been a 64.7 % decrease in homicides and 54.8 % decrease in aggravated assaults. 2. Youth and Gang Violence Prevention Unit Update – Chris Roberts The unit currently has 3 part-time staff, and a full-time staff member is expected to start soon. Chris Roberts discussed their clients existing conditions which includes poor emotional regulation skills, fractured social and community context, high recidivism rates, desperate delivery of educational services, no pathway to stability, and systems to perpetuate inequalities. All of their clients receive a case manager and an assessment. The assessment contains 5 domains with 7 to 8 components. After clients have been assessed a life plan is created outlining the number of contacts per week. Clients can be seen up to 4 times per week. In the past, most of the Unit’s time was spent in community programs, now most of the time is being spent with the most challenging individuals and neighbors united. From March until July seniors who didn’t get a college basketball offer participated in Hooping for Hope. The team traveled over 4060 miles to compete in 11 tournaments. They ended the season ranked number1 in the Big Shot Circuit and received 21 collegiate basketball offers for 8 students. This resulted in 5 students now participating in college athletics. The unit will continue to partner with the United Way to address the hot spots in the city through Neighbors United. This program is patterned after Richmond, California. Over the past two years they have worked with 5 different schools, 500 students, totaling 1000 hours of engagement time. Other accomplishments include helping to relocate 5 families, paying for funerals, and healing circles. 3. RESET Update – Lloyd Merchant RESET was deployed to 6 locations during July. On the 10th they were deployed to Mountainair Ave. They interacted with 7 individuals and passed out 3 ID kits. On July 17 they were deployed to Melrose Ave and Essence Ave in response to a gunshot wound. The team subsequently proceeded to Grandin Ave in response to shots fired. They interacted with 14 individuals, passed out 5-gun locks and 5 ID kits. In the NW area residents expressed concerns with the late-night hours of Melrose Park staying open. In the SW area a resident had concern with the safety for her children. On July 24, they were deployed to Dunbar Ave in response to a gunshot wound. They passed out 5 gunlocks and 2 ID kits. Residents did not express any concerns or complaints. RESET deployed to several locations in NW and SE in response to a shooting. They met 28 individuals, passed out 4 gunlocks and 12 ID kits. Residents expressed concerns about speeding vehicles and the lack of police presence. The RESET team has been partnering with the Melrose Library to provide enrichment activities for youth. They facilitated weekly trips to the YMCA and looked for other ways to teach students pro social engagement. 4. Star City Safe Update – Jeffrey Powell A presentation was emailed to commissioners 5. Group Violence Prevention – Eric Mayo On July 23, the National Network for Safe Communities conducted a formal training for law enforcement and various social services agencies. During the training they discussed the challenges of each agency. The training will continue September 11. They were able to do 2 GVI notifications. Eric Mayo is also working with the Attorney General’s Office to create cease fire bulletins and yard signs. The department is also doing a lot with grants. Other Business Vice Mayor Cobb asked if the commission would be interested in having an information booth to pass out gunlocks etc. at Perfecting Unity Church’s Operation Touch Event on September 14. He shared that he attended the second annual Talent in the Star. The focus this year was on leadership and the show involved 40 students who were impacted by gun violence. He said the show was professionally done and the outcomes were unbelievable. He is working on getting the final Youth Risk Assessment report completed and it could possibly be presented in September. Announcements • Commissioners are asked to read the strategic plan and be prepared to discuss the goals and objectives in the next meeting. • The next meeting of the Gun Violence Prevention Commission will be on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. at the Melrose Branch Library. Meeting Adjourned