DC debates actually enforcing old law

There may also be enough snow to shovel and residents and businesses are reminded they should be prepared to clear the walkways adjacent to their properties, as required by District law. To encourage compliance, DDOT and DPW are launching a public awareness campaign called “Is your sidewalk shoveled?” The campaign’s simple message is driven home on a poster by the image of a mother pushing a baby stroller in the street adjacent to a snow covered sidewalk.
“It is our responsibility to make sure the roadways are treated, plowed and passable,” said DDOT’s Interim Director Terry Bellamy, “But many people moving around the city are on foot, and we need every property owner to pitch in to ensure the sidewalks are as safe and clear as the streets.”
The two agencies will promote the campaign on their web and social media sites and make the information and materials available to local residents, businesses, BIDs, bloggers and media outlets to help spread the message. DDOT also plans to post the campaign poster on bus shelters in the city later this winter.

The District’s Office of the Attorney General is responsible for bringing such lawsuits. We’ve put in a request with OAG to see if anyone’s ever actually been sued over shoveling and for such a tiny amount of money, and will update if they respond. But we’re having difficulty finding anyone who’s lived in D.C. long enough to remember multiple blizzards who can remember OAG ever bringing such a lawsuit. And why would they? The amount of time, energy and money which such a trial would cost would certainly tower over the recuperation of a measly twenty-five bucks.

As [DCist] noted in today’s Morning Roundup, a bill being considered by the D.C. Council (PDF) would remedy the issue by allowing agents from the Department of Public Works, the Metropolitan Police Department and the Department of Transportation to issue tickets to residents and businesses who don’t shovel the walk. However, even if (or when) that law passes the Council, it certainly won’t make it out of the 30-day Congressional review for another few months. So until next winter rolls around, we’ll just have to hope that people can be guilted into embracing their neighborly spirit.