Sunday should be quiet around Washington churches now that Mayor Anthony Williams backed off his pledge to crack down on double-parking. He said he is putting together a task force to figure out how to solve the divide between Sunday worshippers and residents annoyed at the inconvenience.
The task force will try to find a middle ground, said Williams’ spokeswoman Sharon Gang. The task force will consider appealing to schools and businesses to open their lots, using valet parking and angle parking on wide streets. Williams has not announced the task force members.
The battle had been brewing for years.
Police have long overlooked the parking violations around city churches. With the guidance of parking attendants using orange cones, church-goers double-park their vehicles, taking up busy thoroughfares.
In March, though, Williams set last Sunday as the date when city police would start enforcing parking laws. But Williams put a halt to the ticketing effort after church and civic leaders protested that the crackdown was another example of the district policies that contributed to the gentrifying of once all-black neighborhoods.
Many noted that the churches have long helped the city feed its hungry and clothe its needy.
Church leaders held a rally and gathered signatures to petition the mayor.
Double parked
» The District is home to more than 600 congregations.
» The penalty for double-parking is $50.
» A task force will be comprised of residents, city officials and church and community leaders.
