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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGVPC Minutes 01.20.26 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, January 20, 2026 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 at 5:32 PM by Catherine Koebel 2. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Kathy Cohen (virtual), Brandy Campbell, Valerie Koeppel, Elliot Major, Jared Rose, Josh Johnson, Catherine Koebel Commissioners Absent: Amy Hodge Youth Commissioner Absent: Nazir Jackson City Council Members Present: None City Staff Present: Deputy Chief A. Puckett, Eric Thiel, Tara Heuple 3. Approval of Minutes Motion to approve the April meeting minutes was made by Jared Rose and seconded by Elliot Major. The motion carried unanimously. 4. New Business Co-Chair’s Report Co-Chair Kathy Cohen presented a restructuring plan for commissioner assignments, with the goal of increasing commissioner ownership and requiring regular progress reports. Proposed Commissioner Assignments Jared Rose • Lead suicide research and intervention strategies. • Will visit gun stores to encourage safe firearm storage at no cost. • Will review the victim analysis report from ISTAR. • Motion by Josh Johnson: Include 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline cards with every firearm purchase. Josh Johnson • Presented RCPS resiliency strategies, including the HAZEL Health program and related data. • Requested to present Youth Risk Behavior Survey data at the March meeting. Catherine Koebel • Legislative updates; presented data by Virginia Center for Public Safety. • Catherine will email data and documents to be uploaded to OnBoard.gov Commission page. • Requested review of the RCPS Safety Pledge form process to improve consistency and automation; Josh suggested Community Builders support the campaign. • 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: Deputy Chief Adam Puckett Gun-Related Crime Statistics (2025): • 9 gun-related homicides (down one from 2024) • 17 aggravated assaults (down seven year-to-date) Suicide: • 16 suicides (up seven year-to-date) Case Status: • Active: 6 • Closed with Arrest: 16 • Clearance Rate: 72% Additional Notes: • Deputy Chief Puckett reported that violent crime remains steady nationwide. Roanoke PD is focusing on proactive policing, increased community engagement and feedback, and collaboration with a proactive Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. • GVPC expressed interest in inviting Commonwealth’s Attorney John McNeil to a future meeting to present on priorities. • DOJ funding was denied for a Victim Advocate position to support families affected by gun violence. • The Gun Violence Intervention Coordinator position has not yet been posted. • Chris Roberts (Youth Gang and Street Outreach) has resigned. • Sgt. Lamb is seeking to implement the G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) program in RCPS. RESET Initiative Presenter: Tara Heuple • Implemented “Circle One” small group sessions with RCPS and Community Builders students. • Working with Roanoke City Jail and re-entry program; currently managing four open cases. Community Engagement (October Activity): • 46 total deployments • 25 related to gun violence incidents • Northwest quadrant was the most visited area 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: February 2, 2026, at 9:00 am at 215 Church Ave SW (City Council and GVPC joint meeting)