Capitol grounds sledding ban upheld

WTAE ^ | 3-4-15 | Alexandra Jaffe CNN

[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.

[Crim]

Reminds me of the vets who took down the barrycades......go ahead...arrest us.

[ThePatriotsFlag]

Time for civil disobedience! (...on many fronts!)

[from occupied ga]

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.

A distinction without a difference.