A couple of years ago, when security around DC was tighter, I was riding on the Mall and wanted to visit the National Botanical Garden, which is a couple of blocks from the Capitol Building. I locked my bike to rack in front of the building and went inside for about 45 minutes. When I came out and started to unlock my bike, I was approached by Capitol Hill police who wanted to inspect my rack pack (which I had left zipped shut). Turns out the even though I was outside of the security perimeter of the Capitol Building, but I was inside an informal and unannounced security perimeter which extended a few extra blocks. If I had known that, I might have locked up at Air and Space instead.

At least they waited for me to return and didn't just cut the lock and take my bike.