# Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Meeting | August 20, 2026

**Body:** Buncombe County Government — Juvenile Crime Prevention Council
**Date:** August 20, 2026 8:34 AM EDT (2026-08-20T08:34:02-04:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3062

## Summary

**Meeting Overview**
The Buncombe County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) convened on August 20, 2026, for its regular meeting. Chair George Redman opened the session by confirming that all physically present members had submitted their conflict of interest forms, with staff tasked to follow up with virtual attendees to ensure compliance before the next meeting. The council also addressed administrative matters, including open board vacancies for a youth member and a representative for impacted families, noting that one application had been resubmitted after being lost in the system. Members were encouraged to assist in recruiting for these seats.

**Key Decisions and Committee Assignments**
The primary action taken during the meeting was the approval of the minutes from the June 18 board meeting. The motion was made by Angie Garner and seconded by Angel Redman, passing unanimously with no opposition. Beyond this procedural approval, the council reviewed the schedules for its three main committees. The Planning Committee is scheduled to hold its first meeting in the third week of September to review data and identify community needs. The Monitoring Committee plans to convene virtually in late October or early November to prepare for site visits scheduled for January and February. Additionally, the Allocations Committee has set an all-day hearing for March 17 to review funding applications.

**Program Updates and Strategic Discussions**
Several JCPC-funded programs provided updates on their current operations. Yubi reported exceeding goals by serving 38 youth in KISITWork and 16 in Connections, while also producing a song with participants. Umoja highlighted its early intervention work with high-risk youth across multiple schools. Dr. Shannon Martin of Buncombe County Schools discussed the start of the school year, noting increased police presence and metal detectors, alongside the implementation of a "Core Social Wellness Program" focused on conflict management and emotional regulation. Dr. Norielle Armstrong announced plans to reactivate a community violence prevention strategy, including training for 50 community health workers. Other updates included program reports from Earn and Learn/Teen Court, Pivot Point, and the Department of Juvenile Justice, which suspended visits to public housing as a safety precaution following a recent shooting.

**Public Comments and Community Input**
Public comments highlighted ongoing community needs and grief. Michael Hayes spoke on behalf of the family of a youth named Lamarius, expressing grief over his death and praising the community’s response while committing to continue supporting families. Brandon Bricker, a Youth Service Coordinator, shared challenges in finding Spanish-speaking mental health resources for minors and requested introductions to county sheriffs to expand his positive impact. General feedback from the council emphasized the need for proactive measures, such as placing community health workers in schools and neighborhoods before crises occur, rather than relying on reactive strategies.

**Follow-ups and Next Steps**
Several specific follow-up actions were agreed upon by staff and committee chairs. Chair George Redman will follow up with virtual attendees regarding conflict of interest forms. Planning Committee Chair Angie Garner will send invitations for the first Planning Committee meeting in September. Monitoring Committee Chair Vanta will send invitations for the virtual organizational meeting in late October or early November. Allocations Committee Chair Angel Redman will distribute the registration link for the "Coaching for Safer Communities" training on September 19. Dr. Norielle Armstrong will invite JCPC members to upcoming community violence prevention meetings, and Karen Hayes-Roberts will distribute the training registration link to potential coaches. Staff will look into Spanish-language mental health resources for minors and assist Mr. Bricker with introductions to county sheriffs. The council plans to discuss forming a public awareness subcommittee and finalize committee assignments at the next meeting.

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nucdlWjeuLY
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/2078/segments

## Sources

- [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nucdlWjeuLY)