The New York Daily News reported that despite Mayor Bloomberg's efforts to reduce illegal parking in Downtown Brooklyn, the area still experiences parking abuse by government employees. Problem spots include the Adams Street bike lane and Gold Street off Myrtle Avenue where a check by The Daily News last week found 29 cars illegally parked, six of them on the sidewalk and Jay Street, where they were parked at expired meters.

The worst offenders for illegal parking in Downtown Brooklyn apparently are three law enforcement agents. The trio has been spotted illegally parked more than 60 times since September, according to an ongoing survey by Downtown Brooklyn business leaders.

"This exemplifies the rampant abuse of government placards in Downtown Brooklyn," said Michael Burke, executive director for policy at the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, which helped conduct the survey of placard abuse.

"They park in front of hydrants, crosswalks and bus stops," Mr. Burke said. "It's a safety issue" that "adds to a sense of lawlessness in the community." 

NY Daily News, March 1, 2009 - Downtown Brooklyn is place for parking placard and permit abuse

NY Daily News, March 1, 2009 - It's officials: The three worst parking offenders enforce law