As far as we know, there’s no brothel around the corner from Washington City Paper‘soffices.

But there is a curious sign in the window of a now-closed Adams Morgan bar. “Warning: This area has been declared a prostitution free zone by order of the chief of police,” reads the sign, at the Adams Mill Bar and Grill. At Prince of Petworth, commenters are theorizing about what the sign means.

Well, theorize no more.

The sign, which is hanging in the front window of the bar on Adams Mill Road NW, is bright red. It warns that it’s unlawful to congregate for the purposes of prostitution, and that anyone caught doing so could face a $180 fine or 180 days in jail or both. The sign appears to be signed by Metropolitan Police Department Chief Cathy Lanier. Next to the sign hangs another that says “Berlusconi was here.”

A worker who came out of the restaurant, who would only identify himself as Joe Blow, says the sign “is a joke” and claims that the business is only closed for remodeling.

Third District Commander Jacob Kishter pretty much corroborates the story, saying he doesn’t remember any of his forces shutting down the place. He does, however, remember “signing off” on the posting of anti-prostitution signs in a number of public areas. But after taking a look at the one hanging outside the bar, Kishter says it’s “not one of ours.”

Photo by Rend Smith