Neighbors,

During the last eight weeks, I participated in the Metropolitan Police Department’s Community Engagement Academy, which provides residents an opportunity to learn about policing efforts firsthand. Each week, our cohort learned about a different aspect of MPD’s work, including recruit training, patrol services, common policing scenarios, and use of force. These conversations were illuminating.

Given the seriousness of the District’s current public safety crisis, I thought it important to hear directly from frontline officers about the challenges they face and to participate in ride-alongs across the city. Every day, neighbors describe serious and growing public safety concerns in their communities. During a ride-along in Ward 3 earlier this month, I saw many of these issues up close beside an officer who shared context about MPD’s procedures. This experience strengthened my resolve to support proven crime prevention strategies to keep our neighborhoods safe.

My focus is on ensuring an adequately resourced police department and community-centered policing. The MPD Community Engagement Academy is an opportunity to build meaningful connections between officers and residents, strengthening the department’s ability to work with residents to prevent crime. There are three Community Engagement Academy cohorts each year. The Fall cohort begins on August 17 and will be delivered in Spanish; residents can apply here. Please contact Wanda Gattison, Special Assistant to the Chief of Police, at wanda.gattison@dc.gov for information about future sessions.

Following the MPD Community Engagement Academy, I plan to host a community listening session with Acting Chief of Police Pamela Smith this fall so Ward 3 residents can share their concerns and priorities directly with MPD leadership. This will be an opportunity for residents to engage in a dialogue about the District’s public safety strategy and help shape the future of community policing in the District.

This edition of my newsletter includes information about my work to improve public safety, my position on the future of the RFK site, and constituent services updates. My newsletter is biweekly, so follow me @CMFrumin on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more frequent updates.

Best,

Matt Frumin

Councilmember for Ward 3

I met with Acting Chief of Police Pamela Smith on August 9 to discuss the District’s serious public safety challenges and how we can work together to prevent crime across the city.

I support a well-resourced police department that can effectively prevent and respond to crime. MPD must continue to strengthen its personnel recruitment and retention. The Council appropriated significant funds to improve these efforts in the FY 24 budget, and Acting Chief Smith shared that it is one of her top priorities.

I’m heartened that her background in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in law enforcement will enable her to explore innovative ways to recruit officers who reflect the racial, economic, and gender diversity of our city and build meaningful connections with community members.

Our officers prevent crime most effectively when they are in the community walking their beat as much as possible. I encouraged Acting Chief Smith to prioritize officer visibility and community relationship building, especially in neighborhoods with the most urgent public safety needs. MPD plans to dramatically increase community walks in all neighborhoods, a proven strategy to strengthen connections with residents and support crime prevention efforts.

We also discussed how programs that offer a safe and supportive environment in which youth can engage in a variety of enriching activities, ranging from academic support to arts, sports, and recreation, are critical to the District’s public safety efforts. Afterschool programs and mentorship for at-risk youth provide young people with productive ways to build a foundation for success and stay out of trouble. I will continue to support opportunities for our city’s youth and I hope the acting chief will also champion these efforts.

I look forward to continuing my strong relationship with MPD under Acting Chief Smith’s leadership and voting on her confirmation in early Fall. The first Black woman nominated permanent chief of MPD, she has had an impressive 25-year career in law enforcement. She previously served as the Chief of Police for the United States Park Police in Washington, DC, before joining MPD as the department’s first Chief Equity Officer. Acting Chief Smith most recently served as Assistant Chief of Police, Homeland Security Bureau. Learn more about Acting Chief Smith here.

The former RFK stadium site could soon be under local control following the introduction of federal legislation enabling District-led redevelopment of the area. Regaining control of the site offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the District to add to its housing stock and create a livable riverfront community. The Mayor is focused on bringing a football stadium. Others are focused on the relationship of the site to the Anacostia River, or housing or community-oriented athletic facilities. I am not prepared to rule out any option yet, but want to see specific proposals for the site. My highest priorities will be ample housing, retail space, green space, and community-oriented athletic facilities. If a stadium is in the mix, a compelling case will need to be made that it would bring economic benefit to District taxpayers and not come at the expense of other critical priorities. This is a very exciting moment for the District and we should carefully consider our options.

On July 10, emergency legislation modeled on the “Friendship Heights Business Improvement District Amendment Act of 2023” I introduced in February became law. The legislation, which is in effect for 90 days, expedites the process to establish a Friendship Heights BID and ensures efforts to revitalize Friendship Heights are not delayed while the Council enacts permanent legislation later this year. The new Friendship Heights BID is the District’s 12th and Ward 3’s first. I look forward to collaborating with business and community leaders to support a strong recovery for Friendship Heights through the new BID.

The Washington Nationals will host a Ward 3 day at Nationals Park on Wednesday, September 9 when the Nationals take on the Dodgers. They have provided my office with 400 free tickets for Ward 3 residents to attend the game, which begins at 4 pm. This is always a popular event, and tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. You must be a Ward 3 resident to receive your tickets. There is a limit of 4 tickets per group. Tickets will be distributed via email and cannot be sold.

If you claim tickets and you are unable to make the game, please contact my office at fruminoffice@dccouncil.gov or 202.724.8062 so we can provide the tickets to a Ward 3 neighbor on our waitlist.

Thank you to the Washington Nationals for inviting Ward 3 residents to Nationals Park next month!

DPR Pool Hours

Following repeated closures of the Wilson Aquatic Center, I pressed the Department of Parks and Recreation to expand hours at pools to serve the Ward 3 community. DPR extended operating hours at Hearst Pool, which now opens at 6 am daily.

To improve communication to residents about pool operating hours and closures, DPR encourages residents to sign up to receive live updates about facility operating statuses, programs, and events. To sign up, text DCDPR to 888777 or join their mailing list here.

Automated Bus Lane and Zone Enforcement Program

DDOT and Metro announced the beginning of a 45-day warning period for their new Clear Lanes program on July 24. The program uses cameras mounted on Metrobuses to cite vehicles illegally operating, parking, standing, or stopping in bus lanes or zones for violations. DDOT reviews photos and verifies a qualifying offense. During the warning period, warning letters will be mailed to the vehicle’s registered address. These letters are not accompanied by fines. Clear Lanes ticketing and fines, which range from $100 to $200, will begin on September 18. For more information about the Clear Lanes program and bus lane and zone regulations, click here.

Dental Care for Seniors

Community of Hope is providing free dental care to DC seniors who are ages 65+ and do not have dental insurance coverage. All services, including crowns and dentures, are free for eligible seniors. Seniors with Medicare or private plans may be eligible depending on income. Please call 202.540.9857 for more information.

Councilmember Matt Frumin

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Suite 408

(202) 724-8062