A year after Mayor Bloomberg launched a crackdown on illegal parking by government workers, downtown Brooklyn remains the Wild West when it comes to placard abuse, community leaders charge.

A recent Daily News survey found a slew of trouble spots in the busy commercial hub where cops, firefighters and other government workers use parking permits to park illegally with impunity.

"They park in front of hydrants, crosswalks and bus stops," said Michael Burke of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, which has been urging better enforcement.

"It's a safety issue," he said. "It adds to a sense of lawless in the community."

[more at: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/02/28/2009-02-28_downtown_brooklyn_is_place_for_parking_p-1.html]