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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGVPC Minutes 09.17.24 CITY OF ROANOKE Gun Violence Prevention Commission Tuesday, September 17, 2024 5:30 pm Melrose Branch Library Roanoke, VA 24014 Kathy Cohen called the meeting to order at 5:31 pm. Roll Call Commissioners: Kathy Cohen, Tim Harvey, Eric Anderson, Amy Hodge, Catherine Koebel, Elliot Major, Robert Lamour, Jared Rose, City Council: Joe Cobb City Staff: Angela O’Brien, Laura Carini Roanoke Police Department: Chief Booth, Captain Boswell, Eric Tiel The minutes from August 20, 2024, were adopted by unanimous vote (Amy Hodge – Motion, Elliot Major – Second). New Business 1. Discussion on Goals Commissioners were asked to select three goals for 2025-2028, based on the 8 recommendations listed in the strategic plan: a. RECOMMENDATION 1: To continue the research process of gathering and reviewing evidence- based data related to the root causes of gun violence. b. RECOMMENDATION 2: To codify a framework for the City of Roanoke’s gun violence funding support of prevention intervention, and response efforts. c. RECOMMENDATION 3: Secure ongoing funding for gun violence prevention, intervention, and response efforts by identifying sources of dedicated and sustainable funding streams. d. RECOMMENDATION 4: To increase and sustain partnerships within the community to aid in the reduction of gun violence. e. RECOMMENDATION 5: To implement a public campaign to promote the City’s efforts to prevent, interrupt, and respond to gun violence. f. RECOMMENDATION 6: To support the GVPC internal committee structure and stakeholder engagement plan. g. RECOMMENDATION 7: To add two youth and young adult (non-voting) seats to the GVPC. h. RECOMMENDATION 8: To address, with the City Council, the root causes of gun violence with these recommendations, in an identified and prioritized section of the city. Commissioner’s Responses ▪ Catherine Koebel:1, 4, 5, 3 ▪ Dr. Anderson:1, 4, 8 ▪ Tim Harvey: 3, 1, 5 ▪ Amy Hodge: 1,3, 5 ▪ Robert Lamour: 4, 7, 8 ▪ Elliot Major: 2, 8,1 ▪ Jared Rose: 4, 5, 8 ▪ Kathy Cohen: 8, 4, 3 Collectively the Commissioners selected recommendations 1, 3, 4, and 8 for 2025-2028 goals. Cathy Cohen stated the Commission was not granted any funds in the Roanoke City budget. We currently have no funding for publicity or to provide grants to partner organizations. She suggested that the Commission go to the council and ask to be included in the city council budget. She added it has been difficult for the Commission to receive grants because many of the grants have already been applied for by other organizations in the city. Joe Cobb shared that $75,000 was designated out of the general budget initially to purchase gunlocks. In the second-year funds were used for the first round of mini grants. State funding and ARPA funding came later. The Commission needs to look at the funding coming in and establish partnerships. Elliot Major asked that we address the process for applying for grants. Cobb stated the City Council typically does not fund the Commission. Originally, we had a grant writing committee to get the funding. Currently, Roanoke City does not have anyone who focuses on just grants which hinders the city from providing the Commission with a list of the grants other organizations have applied for. Helen Ferguson has started organizing grants for the city. Elliot Major suggested this is an excellent time to correct. Amy Hodge asked for a comprehensive list to establish relationships. Angie Obrien stated the Commission approved grants in January for approximately $400,000. We still have funding available that must be used in 45 days. Kathy Cohen felt a listing of available funds would be helpful as an agenda item. Jared Rose suggested we receive an update on funding every month. The Commission agreed to meet in two weeks on November 1, at 5:30 pm to discuss how to spend the available funds on ongoing programming. 2. Roanoke City Public Schools 8th Grade Summer Program will be presented in the October meeting. 3. Gunlock Campaign – Angie O’Brien The campaign won an award for public safety. 4. Safer Communities Grant – Helen Ferguson a. The grant must be a comprehensive approach to gun violence. $2.9 million will be used towards a full-time position, after school programs, mentorship, connections to educational and economic opportunities, and trauma informed mental health care. The allocation is from July 1 through June 30. The gun lock ambassadors along with the tree planting for unsolved homicides will be funded out of this grant. Old Business 1. Working Group Updates a. Community and Neighborhood Engagement i. Robert Lamour contacted CVS Health to provide training opportunities, resource development, and community assessment programs for the youth. The work group participated in a community activity on September 14 at Perfecting Unity. ii. No reports from the Education and Research Workgroup and Grants and Fund Development Reports 1. Roanoke Police Department Community Engagement – Chief Booth/Eric Field From Jan 1 – September 15, the RCPD responded to 21 incidents of gun- violence where an individual was struck by gunfire during a criminal offence. Most of these incidents have occurred in northwest, in the late evening or early morning hours. The highest at-risk demographic impacted by gun violence are young and middle-aged black males. 2024 has had a 67% reduction in fatal shootings, 53% reduction in non-fatal shootings. 2. Group Violence Prevention – Eric Mayo GVI 3-day training was concluded. New members to the law enforcement group have been added to leverage some intelligence coming out of the jail. Announcements • The next meeting of the Gun Violence Prevention Commission will be on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. Meeting Adjourned