One might think...

ב' אדר, תשס"ז

One might think that most of the property owners in a city full of lawyers and politicians might be wary of ignoring a fairly well-known public ordinance, especially one whose neglect is so obvious as to scream "attention!" (as well as threaten bodily harm) to anyone trying to pass or enter said property:

§ 9-601. Removal from sidewalks by owner or occupant of abutting property.

It shall be the duty of every person, partnership, corporation, joint-stock company, or syndicate in charge or control of any building or lot of land within the fire limits of the District of Columbia, fronting or abutting on a paved sidewalk, whether as owner, tenant, occupant, lessee, or otherwise, within the first 8 hours of daylight after the ceasing to fall of any snow or sleet, to remove and clear away, or cause to be removed and cleared away, such snow or sleet from so much of said sidewalk as is in front of or abuts on said building or lot of land.*

One would, apparently, be wrong.

*District of Columbia Official Code