A well-known and also illegal shortcut in the District is sparking controversy because some on busy 17th Street want police to enforce the law.
The problem is where 17th Street intersects with Barney Circle where its possible to get off and onto the freeway. Motorists who use the exit off the Southeast Southwest Freeway are lawbreakers and they know it.
"When the sing says in big letters, authorized vehicles only." Pat Taylor is part of a growing chorus on neighborhood list-serves saying the city is making a mockery of its own laws by not enforcing them.
When police are in the mood, they'll fine people $50 for taking the road, but not many fines are given. Taylor points to the city's own numbers showing more than 5,000 cars a day break the law.
"My personal preference would be that, hey enforce the signs because that would cut the number of commuterd coming down my very busy street, 17th Street."
One reason police don't do more could be because of the residents who live closest to the road. Betty Hamer said, "It doesn't bother me. I don't live in that direction."
"I'm indifferent toward it. I do see a need for it to be open because of access to the freeway, but at the same time, I can see residents around here would like to keep the traffic down," said Kenneth Brooks.
With growing pressure, police may step up enforcement for a while. Either way, most folks in the area have used the road. "I got a ticket down there once. I know better," said Brooks. Taylor said, "I been through there," but said he never received a ticket.
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