The picture above may say it all. They were on the National Mall. They were on the Tidal Basin. Their cars clogged our roads, their baby strollers and large extended families crowded our Metro. They were everywhere. Tourist season has begun, bringing with it the obvious advantage of their disposable income and the just-as-obvious disadvantage of their indisputable presence. As long as they stand right and walk left on Metro escalators, we’re guessing a truce can be negotiated.

Police Crackdown on Rowdy Behavior on Metrobus: Everyone knows to follow the rules on Metrorail. The same doesn’t seem to apply to Metrobus, though, and transit officials are looking for that to change. NBC 4 is reporting that transit police officers have started cracking down on rowdy behavior on Metrobus, including eating, drinking and disorderly conduct. The crackdown was provoked by repeated complaints that Metrobus is not as safe as its underground counterpart, and that teenagers have taken to making passengers feel unsafe. Officers — both in uniform and undercover — are patrolling a number of bus lines, starting with those that pass nearby area high schools.

Area Private School Tuition Increases: The Washington region’s private schools are looking to become more and more like those in New York City — prohibitively expensive. The Post reports today that tuition at some area private schools has risen to the point that school officials are concerned that they will not be able to attract low- and middle-income students, even with financial aid incentives. St. Albans School in the District now charges $26,501 in yearly tuition, $13,000 more than a decade ago and within spitting distance of tuition at elite private universities. Roughly 15 percent of students in the Washington region attend private schools, above the national average of 10 percent.

Concern Expressed Over Metro Extension to Dulles: Last week the authority over the planned Metrorail extension to Dulles was turned over to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which is led by 13 members appointed by Virginia, Maryland and the District. The transfer of authority — which is supposed to ease concerns over the funding of the ambitious project — has met with skepticism from activists that claim that the board will not respond to public concerns, reports WJLA. The Orange Line extension, estimated to cost roughly $2 billion, has met with opposition from some Virginia officials and residents, who claim that it will be too expensive and not address pressing traffic concerns.

Briefly Noted: DDOT official seeks Ward 3 seat … Smoking ban in District restaurants kicks off today … Montgomery County plans revealed … D.C. incomes grew the fastest in 2005.

Picture snapped by Erik Linden.