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Home My WebLink AboutGVPC Minutes 07-15-2025 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, June 17, 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 5:32 PM by Tim Harvey 2. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Kathy Cohen, Tim Harvey, Amy Hodge, Josh Johnson, Robert Lamour, Valerie Koeppel, Catherine Koebel, Elliot Major Commissioners Absent: Jared Rose, Amy Hodge Youth Commissioner Absent: Nazir Jackson City Council Members Present: Phazhon Nash City Staff Present: Angie O’Brien, Captain Thiel, Lloyd Merchant, Tara Hineline, Deputy Chief Crawley 3. Approval of Minutes Motion to approve the April meeting minutes was made by Kathy Cohen and seconded by Elliot Major. The motion carried unanimously. 4. New Business Updates Gun Lock Program Hosted event where 8 residents completed the training, 3 students from William Fleming High school attended and received gun locks. 5. Old Business Working Group Updates Community and Neighborhood Engagement Lead: Amy Zigler • Group was unable to meet; no report provided. 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 3 Dedication services, 4 trees planted. o Two events covered by media. o Nine future events planted. Currently six unsolved cases with applications o Trees are paid for, $20 per sign, other costs with catering for events o GVPC representation needed for July 26th o Recommended reading: Unforgiving Places –Author Jens Ludwig focuses on the impulsivity of gun violence. Working Group Updates • Community and Neighborhood Engagement Lead: Amy Zigler • Group was unable to meet; no report provided. • 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 Updates: • 3 dedication services held; 4 trees planted. • Two events received media coverage. • Nine future events planned; six unsolved cases currently have applications. • Trees are funded; signs cost $20 each; additional costs include catering. • GVPC representation requested for the July 26th event. • Recommended Reading: Unforgiving Places by Jens Ludwig – explores the impulsivity of gun violence. 6. Presentations Roanoke Police Department Presenter: Captain Eric Theil • Gun-Related Crime Statistics (2025 YTD): • 6 gun-related homicides (down 1 from 2024) • 11 aggravated assaults (down 1 YTD) • Case Status: • Active: 7 • Closed with Arrest: 8 • Clearance Rate: 53% • Overall Part 1 Violent Crime down 12% YTD • Personnel Update: • Angie O’Brien introduced new Gun Violence Intervention Coordinator, Joseph Carruci, starting July 22, 2025. Youth Gang Outreach Presenter: Chris Roberts • 34 open cases; 28 active clients • 6 clients enrolled in summer school for credit recovery • 3 clients receiving counseling referrals • 212 community contacts • 4 conflicts mediated, often after hours • Outreach team attended FEDUp Gala; met with Circle of Brotherhood (Miami, FL) • Conference Insight: Rising influence of the Tren de Aragua gang, with presence noted in Northern Virginia • Professional Development Note: Chris Roberts emphasized the importance of refining terminology in the context of public safety and youth intervention. He recommends shifting from the term “Collaboration” to “Professional Understanding” to better clarify the distinct roles and responsibilities between his work and that of other public safety entities. This distinction is especially important because, in his current role, he does not collaborate directly with police or schools. RESET Initiative Presenter: Lloyd Merchant • Recent Community Responses: • 300 block Highland Ave NW: Concerns about increased homelessness • 4400 Hufflane Ave NW: Speeding vehicles • 1800 Chapman Ave SW: Distributed 9 gun locks; concerns include police presence, sidewalk repair, overgrown grass • 1400 Downing St NW: Community concern for victim and family • Program Highlights: • Officially moved into Norwich location; ribbon cutting scheduled for Thursday, July 31st at 6 PM (invitations to be sent) • City of Roanoke Apprenticeship Cohort 10 to begin Fall 2025 • Tara Hineline organizing youth programming at YMCA, Smith Mountain Lake, including a hiking trip • RPD intern developing resource flyers for families affected by suicide • Launching new podcast: “Voices From The Neighborhood” – youth interviews on life in Roanoke (release date TBD) 7. Additional New Business None Meeting adjourned at 6:26 pm. Next Meeting: August 19th at 5:30 pm at 2502 Melrose Ave NW (Melrose Library)