Posted on 03/05/2015 2:17:54 PM PST by smokingfrog
WASHINGTON (CNN) —The Capitol Police killed the hopes and dreams of thousands of D.C.-area children (and at least a few dozen Hill staffers) Wednesday night when it reaffirmed a city ban on sledding on the Capitol grounds.
Frank Larkin, chairman of the Capitol Police Board, seemed to realize he'd be ruining the snow days of many of the Capitol's youngest residents when he said that his hands are tied by regulations dating back to the 1800s.
"If the forecast holds true, there are many families who will want to enjoy the snow tomorrow. Although, for security reasons, the Capitol grounds are not your typical neighborhood hill or playground," Larkin said in a statement, an apparent nod to precisely the reason the Capitol grounds remain such an enticing sledding opportunity for so many.
He seemed to get the allure. But Larkin said he couldn't, not even just for one day, not even during a huge snowstorm that's expected to drop six to eight inches on the city, tweak a regulation written -- clearly by 19th-century scrooges -- banning play on the Capitol grounds.
"It shall be the duty of the Capitol police on and after April 29, 1876, to prevent any portion of the Capitol Grounds and terraces from being used as playgrounds or otherwise, so far as may be necessary to protect the public property, turf and grass from destruction or injury," the regulation reads.
"Unfortunately, the board cannot grant exceptions to the Traffic Regulations for the United States Capitol Grounds or 2 USC § 1963," Larkin said.
(Excerpt) Read more at wtae.com ...
Papers, please!
Their hands are bound when it comes to sledding laws. Must not break such a sacred law. But when it comes to immigration laws and the Constitution - not so much
After a high-stakes game of chicken (which, incidentally, is also known as — ahem — “snowdrift”), D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton confirmed that U.S. Capitol Police are not enforcing the ban on sledding on Capitol Hill Thursday.
The announcement came after protesters held a “sled-in” on Capitol Hill on Thursday afternoon, despite a warning from Capitol Police that sledding is forbidden there.
“No enforcement of #sledding ban on Capitol Hill today. Thank you Capitol Police!” Holmes Norton posted on Twitter.
A few dozen children and parents gathered on Capitol Hill, taking advantage of several inches of snow that blanketed the D.C. area Thursday.
Details about about the impromptu event showed up earlier Thursday on a Change.org petition, local blog POPville.com reported. “If you are up for a little civil disobedience, meet at the west front of the Capitol lawn” at 1 p.m., the Change.org page said in advance of the event. “Come armed with sleds!”
Yes we all know in what high regard the DC police hold the second amendment.
“Well, sledding is the only worth while and adult activity to have occurred in the Capital in years. “
You missed Netanyahu?
Shoot on sight?
Sledding in a restricted area is a gateway crime.
The next thing you know these thugs will be throwing their arugula into the trash bin, nibbling Pop Tarts into gun shapes, and walking home without supervision.
/s
Harry Reid doesn’t want the riff-raff on his lawn. They smell.
“Unfortunately, the board cannot grant exceptions to the Traffic Regulations for the United States Capitol Grounds or 2 USC § 1963,” Larkin said.
That’s right. Passing, rescinding and amending laws, statutes and regulations is now the function of the executive branch. Go ask the King if you can sled in his forest.
It’s the only place in DC where sliding downhill isn’t SOP.
Can the riff-raff cut their own noses off? That way they won't be able to smell him.
It’s not the DC police; it’s the Capitol police. In addition to the Metropolitan police, there’s the Capitol police and Park police.
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