DC "cops" at it again!

Wanted to let sluggers & drivers know that DC is at it again. Last night, while making our usual commute home, which includes picking up slugs on 14th Street, in front of the Reagan Building, we recieved a $100 ticket! While coming down 14th Street, we could see the traffic control "cops" issuing tickets (not DC Metro police, but the traffic cop wanna be). Since we were behind a bus, we were stuck in the outside lane. As we approached the slug line, one of the two "cops" motioned us on. We got caught by the redlight and I asked the 2nd "cop" when this no longer became a slug pickup. He wouldn't answer my question and demanded I move on. Again, sitting at the redlight (with another SUV sitting in front of me), I asked about the slug pickup. He stated that if I didn't move, he'd write me a ticket. Since I couldn't move, I informed him that the light was red. He went behind the car and wrote the $100 ticket. When I asked why, he said I was stopped in a bus zone (at this point, was pass the bus zone & sitting at the redlight). He would not even hand me my ticket but rather put it under my windshield wiper. At that point, I got out of the car to retrieve the ticket & he threatned another ticket. When the light changed, I did pull out, but I must say, his unprofessionalism of not telling why I was originally getting a ticket and for not answering my question about the slug line was completely unnecessary. DC needs the VA commuters - we pay their high taxes on everything we buy, be it food, shopping or enjoying a show after work. You'd think they would appreciate the commuters but instead, over the last month, they are punishing the VA commuters for coming into their city. I guess if they can not figure out a way to tax us for working here, they'll just get money other ways.

As an update, I did fight this in court yesterday, and as suspected, DC ruled in favor of the "cop". The ruling was "The District of Columbia has designate certain streets and primary roads as rush hour zones to facilitate the flow of traffic into and out of the city during prime commuter hours. All arteries are to e cleared of parked and standing vehicles during these hours. The posted rush hour signs are controling on these roadways and meter parking and other parking privileges are temporarily suspended. Vehicles parked or standing in a rush hour zone are subject to citation, to removal or relocation and/or to impoundment." They found me liable but reduced the fine $50.

I'm sure all the folks who slug from 14th street will chip in and pay your ticket, since we have all heard how equal the system is.[:o)]

CJ

This exact ticket experience happended to me yesterday, I was at a different location (14th and Independance). I had no bus in front of me and had barely pulled over to ask the location when a DC Cop approached my window and rudely told me to stay where I was. 2 people proceeded to get into my vehicle while the officer came back to my window to hand me a ticket. When I questioned as to why I was being tickected he didn't speak but rather turn around and walk away. The ticket was for $100 and the violation was "P007-Park within 20 feet of a bus stand or zone" - "Blocking bus traffic metro bus zone." I had heard about this sort of thing happening recently in DC but couldn't believe that it was actaully happening to me. It appeared that he had been hard it as there was another car ahead of me gettting the same ticket.

I clearly was not within "20 feet" and will fight it all the way. It is a crying shame that something so beneficial as slugging has to be "picked on" to help DC make their revenue. Outright Haters is what I am thinking. Believe it or not this was my first week of picking up slugs, I have been working up the courage over the last 3 1/2 years to start this process and this is what I have to deal with???

Has anyone heard anything about results from the meeting Admin set up with the DC Department of Transportation reps a few weeks back[?]

He announced the meeting at a "Sticky" at http://slug-lines.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11316 on this website and invited 14th Street slugs and drivers to attend.