Opening Statement of Councilmember David Grosso

Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety

Performance Oversight Hearing
Jaunuary 16, 2019

Although I am not a member of this committee, I wanted to be sure to join you today because
of the incredible frustration that I have with the rate of shootings and killings in our
communities.

I know I share the feelings of many residents and my colleagues who are outraged about this
violence. I want to take every opportunity to reiterate that the violence is completely
unacceptable.

While we should be careful not to overhype or sensationalize violence, we do need a greater

sense of urgency as a community and as leaders to stop the bloodshed.

A dozen children were killed last year, but every murder, every shooting hurts a community,
causes trauma, and undermines our well-being.

As Chairperson of the Committee on Education, the community members who most regularly
contact me about public safety are students, parents and other family members, teachers, and
school leaders.

We know that there is a direct connection between violence in the community and the ability
of students to succeed in school.

And we know that too often, the failure of our government to support young people, to give
them the education or economic opportunities they deserve, leads to their involvement in
violence.

The Metropolitan Police Department has an important role to play in stopping violence, but we
also know they are one part of the solution, not the only solution.

For example, we had a good conversation last week during the Deputy Mayor for Public
Safety’s hearing about improving communication between MPD and schools, and I promptly
heard from MPD after the hearing. I look forward to continuing that conversation.

Of course, the ability of police to be effective is directly undermined by poor relationships with
the community, and I appreciate the important role that the Office of Police Complaints plays
to help improve trust through accountability.

Every time there is police misconduct, it undermines the relationship between officers and
communities, making partnership in addressing violence harder.

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I do think that we need more innovation and thinking outside the box from the leadership
instead of rehashing the same arguments about needing more police and harsher penalties.

The urgency of the increasingly violence should motivate us to new approaches and attitudes,
and sadly that is not something I have seen from MPD leadership.

I appreciate every member of the public who has come out to testify today and I will stay for as
long as I can to hear your thoughts and ideas.

Thank you and I look forward to the conversation.

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