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Home My WebLink AboutGVPC Minutes 08.19.25 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, August 19, 2025 5:30pm Melrose Library 2502 Melrose Ave NW Roanoke, VA 24017 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 The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 5:30 PM by Tim Harvey 2. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Kathy Cohen, Tim Harvey, Amy Hodge, Robert Lamour, Valerie Koeppel, Catherine Koebel, Elliot Major, Jared Rose Commissioners Absent: Josh Johnson Youth Commissioner Absent: Nazir Jackson City Council Members Present: Phazhon Nash, Mayor Joe Cobb City Staff Present: Chief Booth, Chris Roberts, Tara Hineline, Sam Roman, Joseph Carucci, Deputy Chief Puckett 3. Approval of Minutes Motion to approve the April meeting minutes was made by Catherine Koebel and seconded by Robert Lamour. The motion carried unanimously. 4. New Business Updates Co-chair’s Report Developing a report to present to City Council to provide an overview of the work of GVPC- we are the research arm. Goal is to provide a framework on how to communicate about gun violence and how to prevent it. Pending date is the second City Council meeting in October. 5. Old Business Working Group Updates Community and Neighborhood Engagement Lead: Amy Hodge • Group was unable to meet; Will have a Family and Friends Day about how to deal with violence at Mt. Zion AME Church on 8/23 from 10-2 Root Causes Working Group Lead: Elliot Major • Group was unable to meet; no report provided. Education and Research Working Group Lead: Tim Harvey • Planting Peace Project: o 9 Dedication services, have an extra tree in Horton Park to be dedicated in the future. o Created goodwill in the community o 6 trees will be planted in September into Washington Park for future Planting Peace Ceremonies. 6. Presentations Roanoke Police Department Presenter: Deputy Chief Adam Puckett • Gun-Related Crime Statistics (2025 YTD): • 7 gun-related homicides (up 1 from 2024) • 14 aggravated assaults (even YTD) • Case Status: • Active: 6 • Closed with Arrest: 10 • Clearance Rate: 58% Youth Gang Outreach Presenter: Chris Roberts • 9 clients aged 14-17 were taken to the African American Museum in DC and go to Bowie State University and Six Flags after they competed a 6 week course. These clients felt safer out of Roanoke than they do in Roanoke. RESET Initiative Presenter: Tara Hineline • Recent Community Responses: 4 community deployments in July and engaged with 73 residents, distributed 16 gun locks and 60 child identification kits. Community residents expressed gratitude for RESET’s presence. Concerns raised were about youth with firearms, drug activity, and neighborhood safety. • Program Highlights: • Champions of Change boxing academy opened Thursday, July 31st • Completing Monthly Movie nights in different quadrants. • Peggy Fleming-does a monthly walk in an area that needs to be picked up and RESET participates in this Love where you Live. • Weekly visits through YMCA partnership PIVOT/GVI Presenter: Joe Carucci • Started work in July. Service meetings will be starting up again soon 7. Additional New Business Jane McCadden shared about an opportunity for setting up an information table at tailgating at William Fleming HS. She requested financial support for purchasing stickers that say NW STRONG and support for food at the football games. The GVPC does not have a budget. Others discussed the opportunity to support financially. Northwest Roundtable on Monday September 22 at 5pm, GVPC will be presenting. Meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm. Next Meeting: September 16th at 5:30 pm at 2502 Melrose Ave NW (Melrose Library)