Yesterday we explored the contentious issue of double-parking around area churches on Sundays. Many commenters echoed a basic question we asked: Since double-parking is against the law, why don’t police officers crack down on it, churchgoer or otherwise? Today the Washington Times has provided us with an answer. Straight from the mouth of Mary Myers, a spokeswoman for the Department of Public Works, which is charged with enforcing District parking regulations:

I think overall there are technically no special concessions given to churches. However, unless the parking infraction is particularly grievous … it’s been the practice of law enforcement to simply allow certain kinds of questionable parking. You can see it any given Sunday: There’s double-parking, and it’s allowed, or [rules] are not strictly enforced by the police.

You heard it here, DCist readers: park with reckless abandon. Just make sure to carry a copy of Myers’ statement with you.

New Stadium Estimates Released: District Chief Financial Officer Natwar Gandhi yesterday released a new set of cost estimates for a new stadium for the Washington Nationals along South Capitol Street and an alternative on the RFK site, reports WJLA. The former, which is preferred by D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams and MLB officials, would cost $667.3 million, while the latter would run $605.5 million. Both would include costs for bond financing and infrastructure upgrades, and both exceed the $535 million price-cap imposed by the D.C. City Council last December. In related news, the District yesterday named the two developers that will build a mix of retail, housing, and office space on the land surrounding the stadium should it be built on the site along South Capitol Street.

Borf Pleads Guilty: Six months after an arrest put to an end what was a year-long crusade of tagging the District and beyond, John Tsombikos, better known as Borf, pleaded guilty to one felony count of destruction of property, writes the Post. Tsombikos, who is 18, may face up to two years in prison when he is sentenced in February, but until then he will be forced to pay $12,000 in restitution; surrender stencils, spray paint, and his computer to police; complete 200 hours of community service, 80 of which must include cleaning up graffiti; and stay out of the District spare classes at the Corcoran College of Art and Design and court appearances. Apparently the Post is happy with the outcome, given the article’s first and surprisingly petty sentence: “Borf, the notorious graffiti vandal who has left his mark all over the District, might want to try a new tag: GUILTY!”

Minutemen Accuse Employers of Hiring Illegal Immigrants: The Minutemen, a group of vigilantes who have taken to guarding the United States against illegal immigration, have reported 16 employers to Virginia authorities for hiring undocumented workers in the Herndon area, notes NBC 4. The group — which started in California, has set up bases along the Mexican and Canadian borders, and recently came to Virginia — have been monitoring controversial day laborer sites since October, and claim they have 150 pictures of employers they allege have broken employment and immigration laws by hiring undocumented workers.

Briefly Noted: New York police officer involved in District shooting … Friendly fire responsible for police officer’s shooting over the weekend … PG County judge accused of bias against non-English speakers … Hearing to be held today on stadium lease.

Picture snapped by katmere.