Youth and Gang Violence Prevention program working to lower gun violence

Roanoke, Virginia – A group of safety advocates is trying to prevent guns from ending up in the wrong hands in our hometowns.

The Gun Carnage Prevention Commission of Roanoke convened on Tuesday to discuss tactics for putting an end to the carnage.

Based on evidence, there have been six homicides in 2024, a 57% decrease in gun violence from the previous year. Chris Roberts, though, feels that figure is still excessive.

Roberts works closely with at-risk youngsters to keep them safe and oversees Roanoke’s youngsters and Gang Violence Prevention Program.

One of our bloodiest summers ever occurred in 2023, during which several of our patrons lost their lives. Therefore, we have to assess our program and choose where we should spend the majority of our work in 2022,” Roberts added.

Roberts made the decision to refocus, emphasizing one-on-one mentoring more.

According to Roberts, “there are some of those low-hanging fruit in our community that need help as well, and need somebody to give them some attention and some support.”

The Gang Violence Prevention initiative established Hoops for Hope as a safe haven for teenagers to interact with one another. Five of these once-at-risk teenagers received collegiate basketball offers as a result of their help.

Roberts thinks that although there is still work to be done, these kinds of small-scale initiatives will have an impact on the gun violence in Roanoke.