July 3, 2025

Dear neighbors,

Yesterday, the Council met for an all-day work session on the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget. As the Council moves toward finalizing the budget, I want to share some reflections on the process and the values I’ve prioritized on behalf of Ward 3 residents.

First, I want to extend my thanks to the mayor and her team for their work in putting together a budget under very challenging circumstances. I appreciate that the mayor’s proposed budget prioritizes public education, public safety, and economic growth. Investments in our public schools and continued support for early childhood education are especially important as we work to build a stronger future for all residents.

However, I remain deeply concerned about significant cuts to programs that support our most vulnerable neighbors. A growth agenda cannot leave people behind; it must be a rising tide that lifts all boats.

That belief has guided my work throughout the budget process:

• Empowering Residents: We must invest in workforce development, training programs, and pathways to permanent, affordable housing.
• Balanced Development: As we work to revitalize Downtown, we must also invest in the businesses and communities that define neighborhoods across the city through programs like Main Streets, Clean Teams, and our libraries, which serve as vital third places for community connection.
• Smart Environmental Investments: Maintaining and expanding green infrastructure is not only good for the planet, it’s also good economics. We must leverage tools like the Green Bank to drive sustainable development, create jobs, and reduce long-term energy costs.
• Protecting the Vulnerable: This budget must protect access to justice and ensure continued support for domestic violence survivors and others in need.
• Respecting Our Seniors: We cannot forget the contributions of our older residents. Programs like Senior Villages and Dementia Navigators help ensure they can age with dignity in the communities they helped build.

This is not an easy budget year, but I am grateful for the opportunity to make a positive difference in these challenging times.

We are in the middle of this process, but I am proud of the work we were able to do in our committee, as described more fully below, to begin to repair our social safety net, protect our libraries, strengthen our Main Streets and Villages, and support our seniors. Now, we need to protect and build on those accomplishments in the next phases of the budget process.

In the coming weeks, Chairman Mendelson will stitch together all of the committee reports into a consolidated Council budget. The Council will consider Chairman Mendelson’s proposed budget, including any proposed changes, and hold its first vote on July 14. The full budget schedule is available on the Council website.

July will be a busy month with the budget, but the progress so far has been positive. Thank you to those who have provided input dating back to our budget listening session in January. Please don’t hesitate to continue providing input from now until the finish line.

Sincerely,

Matt Frumin

Ward 3 Councilmember

On Tuesday, June 24, the Committee on Human Services held a markup of its FY26 Budget Report and Recommendations. This marked the culmination of an intense and collaborative process under extraordinary fiscal pressure. This committee alone faced $63 million in reductions from last year. But in the face of these challenges, my colleagues and I came together to protect the programs our neighbors rely on most.

The agencies under the committee’s purview, including the Department of Human Services (DHS), the DC Public Library (DCPL), and the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment (OCTFME), deliver some of the District’s most essential services. The committee’s budget recommendations focused on protecting and strengthening these core functions.

Prioritizing Libraries

DCPL faced deep cuts that would have reduced operating hours by a third and slashed its book budget. The committee secured $11 million to prevent those reductions and fund facilities, ensuring DC libraries remain open, accessible, and stocked for every resident in every ward. That includes:

• $6.5 million to sustain current operating hours
• $1.5 million to boost the book budget, a $500,000 increase over last year’s levels
• $2 million to reinvest in facility improvement
• $1 million to explore the possibility of future library services in the Brightwood Park neighborhood

Preserving TANF for Families

The proposed budget would have reduced cash assistance for the District’s lowest-income families by $7.5 million and made sweeping policy changes without proper vetting. The committee rolled back all changes to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program for FY26, providing time for a more deliberative and public conversation on the program’s future.

The committee also increased the monthly child support passthrough to TANF families from $150 to $200, a small budget shift that will deliver $600,000 in additional support to families over the next four years.

Supporting Youth, Domestic Violence Survivors, and Families

The committee restored funding for critical services that support our most vulnerable residents every day:

• $500,000 for services for domestic violence survivors, including the only housing counselor at the District’s only crisis shelter
• $1.53 million to expand transitional housing and workforce grants for youth experiencing homelessness
• $921,000 to preserve affordable housing in Ward 3 in partnership with the nonprofit provider So Others Might Eat (SOME)
• $350,000 for the District’s Senior Villages and $250,000 for Iona’s Dementia Navigator program, serving seniors across all eight wards

The committee also expanded DHS’s promising Truancy Reduction Pilot to reach 10 schools, including the first middle school.

Promoting the Arts and Local Businesses

The budget sustains key investments in the District’s arts and creative economy, including the Go-Go Support Program and the Film Rebate Fund, and ensures better transparency so these funds can continue serving artists and communities without interruption. The committee also supports local businesses, revitalization, and job growth by investing in Main Street programs, as well as a new Clean Team in Friendship Heights.

A Collaborative Effort

This budget reflects the best of what the Council can achieve when we work together. I want to extend deep thanks to my fellow committee members—Councilmembers Christina Henderson, Wendell Felder, Zachary Parker, and Robert White—as well as Councilmembers Janeese Lewis George and Brianne Nadeau, who supported the committee’s work through their respective committees.

As Chair of the Committee on Human Services, I am committed to building a District where every resident has the support they need to thrive. This budget moves us closer to that vision by shoring up the institutions that sustain our residents and ensuring that no one is left behind.

To learn more, view the full Committee Report on my website.

As we approach the final stages of the budget process and the Council’s summer recess, we are working to finalize a number of important legislative items.

On Tuesday, we addressed Peace DC, part of recent work on public safety. As noted below, crime is down. We need to continue that progress in a way that is fair to all. The debate on Peace DC was contentious, particularly regarding pretrial detention rules. In the end, we stayed the course but also pledged to monitor impacts closely. I believe that was the right decision, and I’d like to think I helped get us there.

Originally, the bill would’ve made the pretrial detention presumption rule for judges permanent. Along with Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, I proposed an amendment to delay permanency and set a fixed sunset at the end of 2026. Our amendment also directed the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to collect data on whether this expanded definition yields measurable benefits to public safety. This amendment changed what would’ve been a permanent policy into evidenced-based policy. It sets a clear expiration date, builds accountability and data-driven evaluation, while also responding to legitimate concerns about racial equity, due process, and jail conditions.

We also extended the Residential Tranquility law. People must be free to protest, but we saw a pattern of protesters using amplifiers in residential neighborhoods to target private homes at all hours. In my opinion, that’s not acceptable. We passed legislation to address that last year and revised and extended it this week.

Next up is the RENTAL Act, which addresses numerous issues in the housing sector. A month or so ago, I worked on part of that bill in our committee, building consensus around revised rules for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). Much of the rest of the bill will be marked up in the Housing Committee, where I sit, on July 9, with a first vote scheduled for July 14.

July promises to be a very active month.

I receive hundreds of emails each week about RFK and the Commanders, reflecting a wide range of opinions. The Council’s action on RFK is something I take very seriously. As described above, between the budget and other major legislation, our July agenda is already packed.

Meanwhile, the Council has contracted with the Robert Bobb Group to provide an independent analysis of the proposed deal terms, comparing them with those in other jurisdictions. The Council Budget Office is conducting an economic analysis of the proposal as well. All those materials will be in hand by the end of July, and the Council will then need to digest them and formulate negotiating positions.

This is a $4 billion deal affecting a major, critical parcel of land in the District. If we proceed, we must get this right. Some are urging us to act quickly. I don’t think we can or should do that. I was elected to do significant due diligence in situations like this, and that is what I intend to do.

There are early conversations about big-picture topics, such as mechanisms for accountability, the amount of onsite parking, support for transit to get to and from the site, sustainability, community benefits, infrastructure needs, etc. For now, we’re just identifying discussion topics. Only once we’ve fully reviewed the comparative and economic analyses can we begin to probe the economics of the proposal and set clear priorities and negotiating positions. 

The mayor and the Commanders want a deal soon. They can’t wait forever, but they must wait for a little bit. No deadline has been set, and I have neither the intention nor the authority to set one.

That said, I’ve reflected that in the Jewish tradition, the period between Rosh Hashanah (September 22) and Yom Kippur (October 1) is known as the “Days of Awe,” a time of deep reflection, and the period in which it is decided who shall be written in the Book of Life. I think it’s realistic this process could conclude during that period. 

As part of my ongoing commitment to transparency and data-informed governance, I am sharing a periodic snapshot of public safety trends in Ward 3. These quarterly updates aim to provide a big-picture view of crime statistics while recognizing that numbers alone do not capture the full range of experiences across our diverse neighborhoods. The data is sourced from MPD’s Crime Cards website.

We know that not every incident makes it into official statistics, and some types of crime, particularly those not reported, may not show up in the data. Moreover, the lived experience of public safety can differ dramatically from one block to another. Still, tracking broader trends helps us understand where we are making progress and where renewed focus is needed.

Ward 3 Crime Data from January 1 to June 30 of Each Year

The Big Picture: Violent Crime is Down

The most encouraging trend is the sustained decline in violent crime. So far in 2025, there have been just 19 violent crime incidents reported in Ward 3, a sharp decrease from past years, including the 32 in 2024, and less than half the 45 reported in 2023. When compared to pre-COVID years like 2019 (39 incidents) and 2015 (41 incidents), the trend remains strongly downward.

Robbery has fallen from 23 cases in 2019 and 26 cases in 2023 to just seven this year. Assaults with a dangerous weapon have dropped from 14 in 2023 to 9 in 2025. Homicides have remained low and stable, with one reported this year, consistent with the past few years, and below the numbers in 2019 and 2015.

Property Crime: A Mixed Picture

While property crime continues to represent the vast majority of all reported crime in Ward 3, making up more than 90% of the total in 2025, we have seen significant reductions over time. From a high of 929 property crimes in 2019, the number has dropped to 729 this year. Compared to 854 incidents in 2015 and 852 in 2023, the trend is clearly positive.

That said, 2025 has seen a slight increase in property crimes compared to 2024 (729 this year vs. 707 last year). This increase is driven by categories such as:

• Theft from Auto, which rose from 162 incidents in 2024 to 192 this year, though still well below the more than 300 incidents recorded in 2023, 2019, and 2015.
• Theft/Other, our largest single category, continued a gradual increase, rising to 471 cases this year, up from 458 in 2024 and 469 in 2019.

The Metropolitan Police Department urges residents to take simple steps to keep their vehicles safe: keep belongings out of sight, lock doors and windows, activate alarms, and consider using theft deterrent decals. Never leave your vehicle running unattended. If you have information for MPD, call 202-727-9099 or text 50411.

Some categories remain steady or improved: Motor Vehicle Theft decreased from 73 cases last year to 48 in 2025, which is a positive development. Burglary, while up slightly from 14 to 18 this year, is still far below the 50-plus cases reported in the years before the pandemic and 38 in 2023. Arson remains negligible.

Past Spikes and Signs of Progress Since

As the chart shows, we have seen some concerning spikes in total crime, particularly in property offenses, but we’ve made meaningful gains, with total reported incidents dropping in 2025 and 2024 well below 2023, 2019, and 2015 levels.

While it’s difficult to pinpoint a single cause for this improvement, several public safety initiatives likely contributed. Council actions since 2023, including recent legislation aimed at strengthening MPD’s crime-fighting capabilities, investing in community violence prevention, and enhancing coordination with local prosecutors, may be having an effect. Still, it’s important to acknowledge public safety outcomes are influenced by a wide array of factors, from economic conditions to community engagement to national trends.

My office has hosted or participated in five public safety walks in Ward 3 so far this year, including the most recent one on May 30 with Councilmember Pinto, who chairs the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. In the current FY26 budget process, I continue to emphasize one of my top priorities is continuing our commitments to public safety.

Looking Ahead

We will continue to monitor these trends and share regular updates. Public safety is a shared responsibility, and your input, observations, and experiences are essential as we work together to build a safer Ward 3 for everyone.

I plan to host another Public Safety Forum some time in either September or October to bring stakeholders together, including residents, MPD, and other District agencies, to facilitate a community conversation on the latest crime trends, recent initiatives and efforts to reduce crime, and hear feedback from constituents. Details are being finalized, so stay tuned for a confirmed date and event details.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office with concerns, ideas, or questions about your neighborhood. Together, through vigilance, partnership, and persistence, we can continue this positive trajectory.

It’s one of Ward 3’s most beloved traditions, and it’s back for its 59th year. The Palisades Community Association’s Fourth of July Parade and Picnic is happening this Independence Day, and we’d love for you to join the fun.

The celebration kicks off at 11:00 am at the corner of Whitehaven Parkway and MacArthur Boulevard. From there, the parade winds through the heart of the Palisades, ending at the Palisades Recreation Center, where neighbors will gather for food, music, and festive cheer. Visit the event page for more information.

Traditionally, the Ward 3 Councilmember marches near the front of the parade behind the Mayor and Chairman. This year, the Palisades Community Association has invited us to close out the parade, with Crush Funk in tow to end the parade on a high note with great music.

Although the parade starts at 11:00 am, because we’re at the end, we’ll be gathering at the back of the queue on Whitehaven at 11:15 am and likely stepping off closer to 11:45 am. It’s a lot of fun, so if you’d like to join us, please do. You can meet us at the start on Whitehaven or join our group as we pass along MacArthur. To RSVP to walk with us, please complete this form.

On Wednesday, July 9, my office will hold its next In the Ward with Constituent Services at the Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave NW, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Residents are welcome to come meet and talk with the team during that time. If you need assistance with a DC government service, our problem-solvers will be available in person and eager to provide help. Visit the event page for more information.

The event will coincide with the Office of the Attorney General’s community forum, which will begin at 6:00 pm at the library, to update residents on their work, as well as to hear from residents about how the OAG’s office can best serve the community. For the OAG event, please register in advance at oag.dc.gov/forums if you plan to attend. If you have any questions or requests, email their Community Engagement team at OAGCommunity@dc.gov.

DACL Senior Wellness Center Survey Deadline TODAY

Last week, the Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) hosted two town halls as part of a feasibility study to explore establishing senior wellness centers in Wards 2 and 3, currently the only wards without these vital community resources. I was glad to see strong community interest and engagement, and there is still an opportunity for residents to weigh in.

DACL is still collecting feedback, and your voice is essential to shaping what these future wellness centers could look like. The survey focuses on potential locations for these centers and the factors that should influence where they’re placed. You can access that survey here.

You can also express your feedback about design priorities, how the space should be used, and what services and features are most important by emailing dacl.communications@dc.gov with your input. You can rank the categories as high, medium, or low priority, or list your top priorities and your lowest. Be sure to include that you are a Ward 3 resident in the email.

The deadline for both is today, Thursday, July 3. If you care about making sure our senior residents have access to safe, inclusive, and enriching spaces to gather and thrive, now is the time to express your input; it will make a real difference.

A Better Bus Network and National Recognition for Metro

On June 29, WMATA officially launched the Better Bus Network, the most significant overhaul of our Metrobus system in 50 years. This new network brings more frequent, consistent, and streamlined service across the region, helping riders get where they need to go more efficiently.

Over the past year, my office worked closely with Ward 3 residents to ensure our community’s needs were represented in WMATA’s feedback process. More than 350 individuals and organizations provided input, and I hosted the Ward 3 Better Bus Forum to bring WMATA staff and constituents together. The feedback we gathered informed a detailed letter I submitted to WMATA last July, which helped shape the final network.

This community-driven process has not gone unnoticed. I’m proud to share that WMATA has just been honored by the American Public Transportation Association as a 2025 Public Transportation Award winner in two categories:

• Outstanding Public Transportation System (for agencies providing 50 million+ rides annually)
• Outstanding Partnership in Public Transportation (for the Better Bus Program collaboration)

This recognition affirms the incredible work by Metro staff, regional officials, and the community, including you. While we already knew our Metro system is one of the best transit systems in the country, our work to improve it continues.

To help you adjust to the changes, WMATA’s Trip Planner now reflects the new routes. You can also sign up for the Better Bus Dispatch newsletter or view past issues  for more information.

Metro also is inviting local groups to join the Better Bus Partner program to help distribute information, monitor signage, and ensure a smooth rollout. If your organization is interested, sign up here.

While WMATA is no longer collecting formal public comments, my team and I will continue to listen closely to your experiences. We’re committed to making this transition as smooth and successful as possible for everyone who depends on the bus.

Celebrate July 4th Safely in the District

As we get ready to celebrate Independence Day across the District, I want to make sure you and your family have the tools and information you need to enjoy the holiday safely. Fireworks can be a fun part of July 4th, but it’s important that we all use them responsibly and report any unsafe or illegal activity.

DC Fire and EMS has put together helpful resources and guidance for how to report illegal fireworks and what to do in case of emergency.

Here’s what you need to know:

• To report fireworks (including illegal fireworks) at any time of year, you can visit fems.dc.gov or call (202) 673-2776 and provide the requested details.
• From July 4 through July 6, you can report illegal fireworks through the DC311 App using the Illegal Fireworks Request, or by calling 311 and choosing option #1 for fireworks. The Office of Unified Communications will have dedicated call takers ready to dispatch fireworks units to each MPD district.
• If you see fireworks causing property damage or injuries, don’t hesitate, call 911 immediately and follow the directions of the call taker so fire and police units can respond right away.

For more detailed information and safety tips, you can visit the Fireworks Safety Page on the DC Fire and EMS website. I’ll also be sharing important reminders and updates on social media throughout the holiday weekend. Let’s all do our part to keep this a safe and enjoyable July 4th for our community, so everyone can have a great holiday.

Higher Pepco Bills and Storm Readiness

Pepco is informing customers that they will see an increase on their monthly bills as crews are working to inspect and monitor the energy grid so customers stay connected throughout any challenges summer may bring, including heat and storms.

Many customers will see an increase of $20 per month or more on their bill because of the higher demand for energy in our region compared to the available supply. The regional grid serves not just DC, but more than 10 other nearby jurisdictions with power. Pepco attributes the rise to the heat of summer months along with the company that operates the region’s electricity grid, PJM Interconnection, which increased prices after increased electricity demand and delayed starts on new sources of energy generation last August.

Residents can get more info and assistance on Pepco’s bill support page on their website. Also, DOEE operates a utility discount program and programs that help improve your home to reduce your energy consumption. Residents can find the full list on DOEE's website. Community solar programs can also reduce your bill by using renewable energy. More here on the options. Find tips and explore energy savings and assistance programs at pepco.com/BillSupport, and get updates by visiting the company’s online newsroom.

Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds have hit our area recently. In the event of an outage, emergency teams are ready to fully mobilize and work to restore service safely and quickly if outages occur.

Pepco will first address life-threatening situations and critical facilities like hospitals and fire stations. From there, they’ll focus on restoring power to the greatest number of people, starting with major lines and then working down to individual homes and businesses.

Please stay safe:

• Avoid downed wires and report them immediately at 1-877-PEPCO-62 or via the Pepco app or website.
• Check on elderly neighbors.
• Use generators safely; never indoors or connected directly to your home’s wiring.

Health Insurance for Recently Unemployed Workers

DC Health Link has quality, affordable health insurance available to residents impacted by the downsizing of the federal government. Free help is available. To learn more about your health insurance options:

• Visit dchealthlink.com/lost-coverage
• Schedule a virtual appointment with expert enrollment support at dchealthlink.com/dconetouch
• Drop by a nearby Enrollment Center with expert in-person enrollment support dchealthlink.com/enrollmentcenters
• Call the DC Health Link Contact Center (855) 532-5465 I TTY:711

For support services offered through the Mayor's Office of Community Affairs, please visit communityaffairs.dc.gov. Residents may also access additional resources at fedsupport.dc.gov.

Student Loan Help Available

Need assistance or have questions regarding your student loans? The Office of the Student Loan Ombudsman (OSLO) will be hosting drop-in hours for residents throughout the summer. The first session is next Tuesday, July 8 from 4-7 PM at DISB’s headquarters (1050 First St NE). Collections on federal student loans recently restarted. OSLO recorded a webinar regarding loan default and delinquency which you can find here.

Appearance in New Episode of Off the Dais

OCTFME’s series featuring a day in the life of DC Councilmembers, Off the Dais, is back, and I was happy to be featured in the latest episode. I showed host Rita Lewis around the UDC campus and made a stop at the Calvert-Woodley cheese counter, while we discussed my inspirations, goals, and some lighter topics as well.

FIFA Club World Cup at Audi Field

Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of attending the FIFA Club World Cup match at Audi Field, where fans from across DC and around the world came together to celebrate the global game. Events like this are more than just exciting, they’re major economic drivers for our local businesses and powerful reminders of how sports can unite our diverse communities. I’m proud to support opportunities that showcase DC as a vibrant, welcoming city on the world stage.

Open Streets DC

Last Saturday, I took part in Open Streets DC on Capitol Hill, where our streets temporarily close to vehicles and come alive with families, neighbors, and local businesses. Watching kids bike freely, neighbors connect, and artists share their talents reminded me of how public space, when reimagined, can bring us together and strengthen our sense of community. Events like Open Streets are about more than just car-free roads, they’re about creating room to breathe, play, and connect in the heart of our neighborhoods.

DC Greens Event at Oxon Run

Also on Saturday, I joined DC Greens at The Well at Oxon Run for a beautiful community gathering. The Well is a healing space where fresh food, wellness, and community go hand in hand. Seeing residents come together for health-centered programming in Ward 8 shows the power of grassroots efforts to improve both physical and mental well-being right where people live.

Van Ness UDC Food Pantry

I had the honor of attending the opening of the UDC Van Ness Pantry in Ward 3 last Sunday, a powerful addition to our food access efforts. With the rising cost of living, no college student or resident should have to choose between paying their bills and a meal. This pantry is a critical step toward supporting our students and ensuring that everyone in DC has the nourishment they need to thrive.

Upcoming Advisory Neighborhood Commission Meetings

ANC3A: Tuesday, July 15, 7:00 pm, McLean Gardens Ballroom & Zoom 

ANC3B: Thursday, July 10, 7:00 pm, Zoom

ANC3C: Monday, July 21, 7:00 pm, Zoom 

ANC3D: Wednesday, August 6, 7:00 pm, Zoom 

ANC3E: Tuesday, July 22, 7:30 pm, Zoom 

ANC3F: Tuesday, July 15, 7:00 pm, Zoom

ANC3/4G: Monday, July 14, 6:30 pm, Zoom

Battle of Fort Stevens Annual Commemoration

This year's Fort Stevens commemoration will take place on July 12, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The Fort Stevens annual commemoration is held on the Saturday nearest the dates of the battle that occurred July 11-12, 1864. This was the only Civil War battle that occurred in the nation's capital and the only time in the nation's history that a sitting president (Lincoln) has come under direct enemy fire. The battle engaged other Civil War Defenses, including Forts Reno, Bayard, DeRussy, Slocum, Totten, and Bunker Hill. Sites around DC were all on high alert. After heavy fighting, the Confederate troops slipped off overnight to return to Virginia and, after many small battles and skirmishes, were finally defeated at the Battle of Cedar Creek in October 1864. Battleground National Cemetery, a few blocks north of Fort Stevens on Georgia Ave., holds the remains of 41 of the Union soldiers who died at Fort Stevens. For more info, please see the event page or download the event's promotional flyer.

August Pet Adoption Event

The District contracts with Brandywine Valley SPCA to administer animal welfare services. BVSPCA is excited to be teaming up with NBCUniversal for its annual Clear The Shelters adoption event on Saturday, August 2. Join them at either of their locations, 1201 New York Ave NE or 4 DC Village Lane SW, where adoption fees for all pets will be waived. You can learn more about Brandywine Valley SPCA and its services at bvspca.org/dc. To report an animal in distress in the District, please call BVSPCA at (202) 888-PETS.

Councilmember Matt Frumin

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Suite 408

202-724-8062