Reply from the 'Ask the Director' section of the DPW website, regarding ANSWER's posters

[tbyg52]

My questions, before I copy it:
1) Are these statements regarding the posters true?
2) Have these regulations been enforced against others?
3) Have they been enforced at the same level against others?
(I don't know the answers, at this point--I'm just asking, and hoping that others do.)

************

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, August 14, 2007


DPW STATEMENT REGARDING FINES LEVIED FOR IMPROPERLY POSTED ANTI-WAR
POSTERS

* DC regulations (DCMR Title 24, Section 108) provide guidelines
for posting signs in public space. The regulations balance free speech
with keeping the city neat by: 1. supporting the right to free speech
by giving people access to public space to express themselves; and 2.
keeping the public space from appearing cluttered by limiting the number
of signs per block. The District hosts marches and protests all the
time and we never weigh in on the merits of the issues, rather our role
is to keep the city neat.

* DPW asks people to respect District of Columbia residents by
following the guidelines.

* These posters were improperly placed for the following reasons:

o More than three signs were posted on one side of a block the
guidelines limit the number to three. (108.10)

o The posters were placed on more than lampposts, which is the
only place where they are allowed. (100, which says if the site is not
mentioned, posters cannot be placed there.)

o The posters were fixed to lampposts and utility boxes using an
adhesive, which is not allowed. The larger posters are taking 20 to 30
minutes to remove. (108.9)

o The posters do not provide the date they were placed. (108.7)

o No one filed two copies of the materials with the Mayor's DC
government designee (Office of Surface Permits). The filing should be
made within 24 hours of posting each sign and include the name, address,
and telephone number of the posters' originator. (108.11)


This Email was sent from the 'Ask the Director' section of the DPW
website.