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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGVPC Minutes 02.17.26 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, February 17, 2026 5:30pm 2102 Grandin Rd SW Patrick Henry High school Roanoke, VA 24015 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 at 5:45 PM by Kathy Cohen 2. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Kathy Cohen, Brandy Campbell, Valerie Koeppel, Josh Johnson, Catherine Koebel Commissioners Absent: Amy Hodge, Elliot Major, Jared Rose Youth Commissioner Absent: Nazir Jackson City Council Members: Phazon Nash (Absent) City Staff Present: Deputy Chief A. Puckett, Tara Heuple, Lloyd Merchant 3. Approval of Minutes Motion to approve the April meeting minutes was made by Valerie Koeppel and seconded by Catherin Koebel. The motion carried unanimously. 4. New Business Chair’s Report Chair Cohen: Due to low community turnout, will request the City of Roanoke to reschedule Community Stakeholders meeting in March 17th, 5:30 pm; TBD Josh suggested the Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke, 24015, as a site for the next stakeholder meeting. Recommended that Chair Cohen reach out to Reverend Jen Raffensperger. UUCR is located at 2015 Grandin Rd SW, Roanoke, VA Cohen requested data for DC Adam Puckett to have before the next meeting: Stolen guns out of cars, update to gun violence numbers before meetings (Andrew Reece from ISTAR was out sick and on holiday, so data was delayed), to get minutes, agenda, and meeting schedule to OnBoard.gov Requested Cohen: Request Joshua Johnson to create RCPS PowerPoint slide to for the Community Stakeholders meeting Cohen: Request Valerie to send if/any updates about Violent Injury – Recovery & Support Proposed Commissioner Assignments Jared Rose • Absent Josh Johnson • Presented RCPS Youth Risk Behavior Survey, an increase in protective factors such as: o Increase in students reporting “they feel like they matter to the community o Increase student reporting “ they feel supported at school” o Increase of students reporting “ they were connected to mental health treatments/providers” • Presented idea for Community Builders club to be a “Gun Lock Ambassador” group; group agree this was a good idea. Josh will present to the school leadership. Catherine Koebel • RCPS does send out the “Family Pledge” in Student Code of Conduct calendar and materials at the beginning of the year. Page 10 corner. o RCPS Leadership currently waiting for legislative updates/guidance/requirements based on proposed bill 2026 Regular Session; SB109 o School boards; parental notification, safe storage of prescription drugs and firearms in household. o • Would like to coordinate with Carol Corbin (City of Roanoke) on a marketing and messaging action plan. • Would like to invite Adam Fajardo, City of Roanoke Community Engagement Director, to a future meeting. Valerie Koeppel • Gun Lock Ambassador Program update: 19 participants have completed the process. • Following up with 30 participants who have not yet completed the process. Rev. Amy Hodge • Absent. (Community outreach) Elliot Major • No report at this time (Environmental strategies) Brandy Campbell • Will assume leadership of the Planting Peace initiative. • Met with Tim Harvey and received supporting program documents. 5. Old Business • None. 6. Presentations Roanoke Police Department Presenter: Lieutenant B. Foster Gun-Related Crime Statistics (2025): • One aggravated assaults (down four year-to-date) Suicide: • 2 (down one year-to-date) Case Status: • Clearance Rate: 75% RESET Initiative Presenter: Lloyd Merchant • Four developments • 100 residents • 11 gun locks • Hosted a exhibition boxing event • 11th Cohort for the Youth Apprenticeship program; closed 2/26/2026 • Continuing out patient therapy with success Youth and Gang Street Prevention and Intervention Team Presenter: Tara Hueple • Currently only one full time employee • Tara is temporarily supervising • Cohort graduating next week Announcements Chair Cohen asked for recommendations on structure from commissioner for stakeholders meeting February 17, 2026 at 2102 Grandin Rd SW, Roanoke, Va 24015 Meeting adjourned at 7:12pm. Next Meeting: Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 5:30 pm, Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke 2015 Grandin Rd SW, Roanoke, VA 24015