May 14, 2026

Dear Neighbors,

I am deeply saddened by the tragic events of this past week that have rocked our community. Last Thursday, a shooting in Tenleytown claimed the life of Jackson-Reed High School senior Brady Flowers Jr. Brady was a standout on the football team and a bright student who, as Principal Sah Brown shared, approached his future with determination, planning to serve our community in the military or law enforcement after graduation. To say that gunshots in the heart of our neighborhood are distressing is an understatement. The loss of such a young life is a profound tragedy that affects us all, and my heart goes out to Brady’s family, his teammates, and the entire JRHS community. My full statements in response are available on my website.

Concerns have been further heightened given a second episode in which at least one shot was fired at Fort Reno near the tennis courts. No one was injured in that episode, but it too is deeply troubling. This is an area traversed by thousands of students every day from early childhood, elementary, middle, and high schools. We must and are taking steps to ensure these spaces are safe.

Since the shooting, I have been deeply engaged with the Metropolitan Police Department Second District (MPD 2D) and school leadership to ensure the safety of students and residents, as well as prevent future violence. MPD and the Jackson-Reed administration have been consistently collaborative and determined to appropriately respond during this difficult time, including aggressively investigating both episodes. Part of the MPD effort has included coordination with the U.S. Park Police, Metro Transit Police, Safe Passage, and violence interrupters, who continue to maintain a robust presence in and around the area, including walking the area and with officers deployed on mountain bikes. 

I also appreciate the partnership of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) and Tenleytown Main Street, which have been closely involved in advocating for additional security resources and supporting the community during this crisis. I spoke at the ANC 3F meeting this past Tuesday and will be joining the ANC 3E Public Safety Forum tonight, Thursday, May 14, at 7:00 p.m. alongside MPD 2D Commander Christopher Dorsey. To attend, please register for the ANC 3E meeting online.

While public safety and supporting our community during this difficult time has been a major focus in the last week, the Council also remains in the thick of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget process. Last week, I chaired budget oversight hearings for the Department of Human Services and the Office of Lottery and Gaming. This week, the Council began preparing for committee budget markups, and you can find more info on the Committee on Human Services schedule below. In my next newsletter on May 28, I will provide a detailed look at the final moving parts of the budget as we prepare for the Council’s first vote on June 9.

Sincerely,

Matt Frumin

Ward 3 Councilmember

Balancing Youth Safety & Support for Young People

On May 5, the Council gave final approval to the permanent Juvenile Curfew Act of 2026. The Council did not vote on an emergency version of the legislation that would have immediately reinstated nighttime restrictions when it became clear it did not have the necessary votes to pass. I voted for both measures. My support for this effort is rooted in preemption: by addressing social-media-driven gatherings before they escalate, we can protect our neighborhoods while actually reducing the likelihood of high-stress encounters between law enforcement and our youth. The bill empowers the mayor or the Chief of Police to designate specific areas as juvenile curfew zones, making this a surgical tool applied only to those geographic areas where the District has information that large groups of eight or more youth intend to gather.

The final legislation includes important guardrails to ensure the program remains focused on safety and de-escalation of volatile situations rather than punishment. Key provisions include a 2028 sunset. This means that the law will expire at the end of calendar year 2028, providing the Council with an opportunity to do a full review of the law’s effectiveness before deciding if it should be extended for several more years. Additionally, the final version of the bill strictly prohibits police from detaining juveniles and taking them to detention centers merely for curfew violations if no other offense has been committed. Instead, youth must be released to a parent, guardian, or a designated youth programming site. Furthermore, the District is now required to provide supervised, age-appropriate activities whenever a curfew zone is established.

The recent tragedy near Jackson-Reed, as well as a recent armed robbery near MacArthur High School, underscore our acute need to address issues leading to serious juvenile crime. Law enforcement response is not the only appropriate response, but it has to be a part of it. In the meantime, we also must be doing as much as we can to offer our young people constructive outlets and paths that give them hope for their future. Investment in our young people must be seen as part of our public safety response. 

Protecting Renters and Homeowners

We also advanced the Fair Housing Act, which passed its first reading. This legislation aims to make rent more predictable and transparent by banning housing providers from charging tenants for "junk fees" like common area utility charges.

Additionally, the Council gave initial approval to the River East at Grandview Homeownership Relief and Restoration Act, a next step in providing relief to the 46 families displaced from their condemned condominiums on Talbert Street SE. The bill allows these residents to access grant funds and mortgage assistance, helping them return to the path of homeownership.

Strengthening Business Enterprise Program

Finally, we approved emergency measures to strengthen the Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) program. The program allows businesses to receive preference in contracting and procurement opportunities with the DC government. This measure will ensure better oversight and support for our local businesses.

iGaming and Oversight

My committee held a hearing on the Internet Gaming and Consumer Protection Act on May 4. This bill, introduced by Councilmember Wendell Felder, seeks to modernize our gaming laws by regulating online casino-style games, which currently operate without meaningful consumer safeguards or oversight, creating risks for residents. This legislation would establish a comprehensive framework that protects consumers, restricts wagering to those 21 and older, and establishes penalties for unlicensed operators. The bill would also invest in problem gambling prevention and treatment, as well as establish a Community Reinvestment Fund for programs and services designed to mitigate the social and economic impacts of internet gaming.

Budget Hearing Recaps

The Committee on Human Services continued to hold budget oversight hearings:

• Monday, May 4 - Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG): We reviewed the agency’s revenue performance and discussed our ongoing legislative work to transition the District toward a more competitive, responsible, and regulated iGaming and sports wagering market.
• Wednesday, May 6 - Department of Human Services (DHS), Government Witnesses: We heard testimony from Director Pierre and her leadership team regarding program performance and FY27 budget needs, including the long-term stabilization of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and the impressive early results of the Housing Support Care Management (HSCM) pilot in keeping neighbors safely and stably housed.

You can watch recordings of these hearings on my YouTube channel at @CMFrumin. Next, on Thursday, May 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the Committee will meet to mark-up its portion of the budget . See the Council calendar for more information.

Spring Services, and How to Contact DPW

DPW’s Spring Services have begun. These services include street and alley cleaning, grass cutting and mowing, graffiti removal, and more. Street sweeping is ongoing, and Parking Enforcement is issuing tickets for street sweeping. For more details, visit: http://dpw.dc.gov/spring.

Do you need to contact DPW about a service issue or other matter? Residents can reach DPW’s Unified Communication Center at (202) 673-6833 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Don’t Lose Your Healthy DC Plan Insurance Coverage

More than 2,000 District residents get their health insurance through Healthy DC and are at risk of losing coverage unless they take action by June 3rd. Residents enrolled in Healthy DC should look out for mail, phone calls, and emails from DC Health Link. Do not ignore messages from DC Health Link or Healthy DC Plan. You could lose your health insurance if you do. Emails will come from healthydcplan@dc.gov. You can also find out if you need to act by logging into your account at DCHealthLink.com. For Questions: Call (833) 432-7526 / TTY: 711. DC Health Link is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Friendship Place Walk

It was a moving experience to gather with neighbors at the Lincoln Memorial on April 25 for the annual Friendship Place Walk. As chair of the Committee on Human Services, I was proud to recognize Jean-Michel Giraud for his 20 years of dedicated leadership at Friendship Place and to offer remarks on the vital importance of their mission. We walked together with a shared commitment to building a community where everyone has a place to call home, reinforcing the idea that our city is at its best when we work together to ensure housing and dignity for all residents.

DC History Conference Closing Session

On May 2, I had the honor of speaking at the closing session of the DC History Conference. Our discussion focused on the critical role that historical truth plays in our current times and how telling the full story of the District is essential to our ongoing work toward protecting home rule and securing full representation. Understanding our history is not just about looking backward; it is a vital part of our collective effort to ensure that every Washingtonian has a voice and the right to self-govern.

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) Meetings

ANC3A: Tuesday, June 9, 7:00 p.m., Zoom 

ANC3B: Thursday, June 11, 7:00 p.m., Zoom 

ANC3C: Monday, May 18, 7:00 p.m., Zoom 

ANC3D: Wednesday, June 3, 7:00 p.m., Zoom  

ANC3E: Thursday, May 14, 7:30 p.m., Zoom  

ANC3F: Tuesday, June 16, 7:00 p.m., Zoom

ANC3/4G: Monday, May 27, 7:00 p.m., Zoom 

DOB Workshop: Navigate Your Building Projects - May 19

As part of Building Safety Month, the DC Department of Buildings (DOB) is hosting the Build with Confidence Workshop Tuesday, May 19, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 1100 4th Street SW, in the 2nd Floor Conference Center. This event is a free educational session designed to help homeowners, tenants, and community members better navigate the building process in the District. Understanding permits, inspections, and property maintenance requirements can feel overwhelming, especially when planning repairs, renovations, or improvements to your home or property. Whether you are preparing for a home project, managing a property, or simply looking to become more informed about building safety requirements in the District, this workshop is designed to provide practical guidance and helpful resources you can use with confidence. Virtual attendance options are also available. Space is limited and registration is required.

Councilmember Matt Frumin

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Suite 408

202-724-8062