Dear PoPville – $250 Ticket for Loitering for Just Trying to Walk my Dog?

“Dear PoPville,

Long story short, the residents of Westend, specifically area residents with pets have been harassed by park rangers and threatened by police with charges of trespassing around Francis Field Park located at 25th street NW. Words cannot express the level of frustration felt over this military style surveillance & enforcement of our local park area. The most upsetting part of this story, is being personally ticketed $250 for “loitering” while walking my dog next to Francis Charter School this past weekend.

We are not criminals, nor are we acting like ones.

In 2012, we were told the park is for everyone, sports enthusiasts & pet owners, it was even marketed by my apartment complex, as a dog friendly park located directly across the street.

Fast forward 2014, park rangers & DC metro police have been John Rambo hell bent on stalking residents & telling them pets are strictly prohibited inside the fenced area, but permissible anywhere outside that area.

Um ok… However, oddly enough, I was ticketed next to Francis Stevens Charter School which is around the corner?

When I questioned the office, I was told “I’m on private property and move to 26th & K park to walk my pet”

I’m thinking, what?

When I kindly refused, I was ticketed.

Totally absurd waste of police resources.”