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Statement on the Report of the Ad Hoc Committee in the Matter of Trayon White, Sr.

This is a sad day for the Council and the District of Columbia. The first time I truly saw how Councilmember Trayon White served his community was at a vigil after a shooting on Martin Luther King Avenue ten or more years ago. He spoke with his neighbors with empathy and strength, calling for change from outside of his community but also from within. He connected with his neighbors in a way that resonated. More recently, we overlapped at an event, and I asked him how he bore up attending so many funerals and meeting with so many families broken with pain after the loss of a loved one. He responded that he was tired - spiritually tired - but he showed up just the same. I say these things because at the center of all this is a person who has earned the love and respect of many in his community. There is a human being with strengths and weaknesses. A person who, like all of us, should not be defined by one act.…

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Statement In Response to the Death of a Child In Ward 3

I am terribly saddened to learn of the passing of DeAndre Pettus, a 5-year-old child, in Ward 3 on Sunday. My heart goes out to his family, as well as the Murch Elementary School community during this difficult time. At this time, we still do not know all the details of what led to this horrific tragedy. The Metropolitan Police Department made an arrest on the preliminary charge of first-degree cruelty to children, those charges were filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office, and the defendant appeared in D.C. Superior Court on Monday afternoon. Prosecutors await autopsy results, and the investigation is ongoing. The loss is heartbreaking and sadly follows the death in Ward 3 just the week prior of 1-year-old Journee Moore of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, which is being investigated as a homicide. These tragedies are reminders that laying a forceful hand on a child is never acceptable. They also underscore the imperative for the city to provide adequate services to our families with the greatest needs, and clearly there is more we need to…

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Statement In Response to the Loss of MPD Investigator Wayne David

Yesterday, Investigator Wayne David, a 25-year Metropolitan Police Department veteran, tragically lost his life in the line of duty. My deepest sympathies go to his loved ones and colleagues during this difficult time. Investigator David dedicated his life to helping make his native DC a safer place. He was committed to getting guns off our streets, and this loss is yet another reminder that the scourge of guns and the pain they cause continues to plague the District. Every day, our police officers and first responders risk their lives to keep their neighbors safe from harm, and they deserve our thanks and support. I join the entire city in expressing my condolences to the family of Investigator David, as well as my gratitude to all at MPD for their bravery and sacrifice. Matt Frumin Ward 3 Councilmember

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Statement In Response to Charges Against Councilmember Trayon White

I join all residents of the District and my fellow Councilmembers in being deeply troubled by the charges against Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White. We all deserve leadership we can trust. In the words of Chairman Mendelson, the arrest and serious charges are a “gut punch” to the District, particularly the residents of Ward 8. Due process is one of the great pillars of our judicial system, and the assumption of innocence until proven guilty is fundamental to our democracy. Councilmember White is entitled to defend himself, and we must allow the process to take its course. To serve as a member of the Council of the District of Columbia is a privilege, and the alleged misuse of public office undermines the public’s confidence in their government. I support Chairman Mendelson’s decision to remove Councilmember White from the Chairmanship of the Committee on Recreation, Libraries, and Youth Affairs while an Ad Hoc committee assesses the situation and makes recommendations on potential disciplinary actions. Matt Frumin Ward 3 Councilmember

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