Roanoke, Virginia – An internal audit of Roanoke’s Gun Violence Prevention Commission has revealed significant procedural oversights regarding the verification of the efficacy and actual implementation of programs funded to curb gun violence.
The detailed audit, an extensive 88-page document made public on Friday, uncovers deficiencies in the decision-making process of the commissioners and the manner in which city staff kept track of the progress of programs financed through grants. A particularly concerning discovery suggested the city was unable to provide evidence of compliance with federal regulations regarding the monitoring of the use of government pandemic relief funds by external agencies – a claim categorically refuted by city authorities.
Roanoke has thus far allocated over $2.5 million towards initiatives aimed at countering an uptick in shooting incidents. These funds have been distributed among a gang outreach team, the police department, and grants for non-profit organizations and churches.
The findings of the audit have raised concerns among the city’s leadership. Mayor Sherman Lea remarked on Monday, “It’s not a good report for the Gun Violence Prevention Commission. I am concerned with some things that happened.”
The Commission, presided over by Vice Mayor Joe Cobb, has been subjected to criticism by some City Council members. They have expressed concerns about a perceived lack of transparency in its funding decisions and questioned the effectiveness of the funded programs. To address these concerns, in February, the Council had assigned Drew Harmon, the Council-appointed municipal auditor, to examine how the funds recommended by the Commission were utilized.
