Jaywalking in DC

A couple of weeks ago I almost received a ticket for walking across the street in Dupont Circle against a red light. I was reluctant to post about the incident, mainly out of a fear that the DC Police regularly check blogs to find jaywalking confessions. That fear has now subsided after I saw three cops today cross the very same street (Q and Connecticut) against a red light. And they weren't in hot pursuit of anyone, either.

So back to the original incident. I get to the corner and notice tons of people on either side not crossing, despite the fact that there were no cars in sight. "Stupid tourists," I think. "Don't know how to cross a street." So I proceed to make my way over, when halfway across I notice a cop standing on the corner. We make eye-contact.

"Please come here, sir," she says.

I walk towards her, head down like a school kid who knows he's about to get detention.

"Do you know it is a ticketable offense in the District of Columbia to jaywalk?" she says.

"No ma'am." (That's a lie.)

"Well it is. And I could write you up but I will let you off with a warning this time."

"Thank you ma'am." And then (I was really pushing the limit here):"You know, I'm really hungry and it's lunchtime. I was just trying to get to -"

"It's better to be hungry than hit by a car," she cuts in.

"You're right," I respond. And I walk away, half-hoping she had given me a ticket because that would be a great story to tell the grandkids.

Anyhow, I've been paranoid as hell crossing Q and Connecticut ever since. That is until today, when I see these three cops go lollygagging across the same street without a care in the world. So much for setting a good example...