First, it was the traffic agents' vehicles.

Now, it's Uncle Sam hogging parking spaces in a Bronx commercial shopping district, outraged merchants have charged.

Since the new Navy and Air Force Recruiting Center opened three weeks ago, government cars have occupied numerous spaces in the bustling Westchester Square commercial area for days at a time, merchants said.

"I think it's a great abuse of power when a government agency commandeers parking facilities that have been set aside for economic health," said John Bonizio, president of the Association of Merchants and Business Professionals of Westchester Square. "They think they own these streets."

On a recent day, Bronx Boro News found four government cars parked in front of the Navy and Air Force Recruiting Center at 63 Westchester Square, and another three parked in front of the nearby Army Recruiting Center at 120A Westchester Square.

Merchants say the occupied spaces are hurting their businesses.

[more at: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bronx/2009/05/01/2009-05-01_stop_stealing_spots_merchants_rage_again_at_govt_doings.html]