City employees using their permits -- current, expired, counterfeit or otherwise -- to park illegally and double-park in front of hydrants, bus stops, and even on sidewalks with impunity have endangered pedestrians, not to mention drivers trying to get around, neighbors said.

But the other concern for St. George residents and business owners is that the neighborhood's constant parking crunch is going to kill any hope for its long-anticipated commercial renaissance.

The misuse of parking permits is "the bane of business here," said Theo Dorian, president of the St. George Civic Association (SGCA).

When the civic association called for more enforcement of parking regulations several years ago, the resulting ticket blitz incensed some city workers -- who retaliated with a boycott of local businesses associated with SGCA that lasted for several months.

Dorian recalled those days, when fliers went up on telephone poles and store windows depicting skulls, crossbones and tombstones with SGCA's initials on them.

Eventually, as businesses suffered, and some failed, the group backed off.

But a new citywide survey of government parking permit abuse, conducted last month by Transportation Alternatives -- a non-profit citizens' group that advocates bicycling, walking and public transit -- may re-invigorate the crusade.

The study found St. George was among the city's biggest offenders when it comes to blatant abuse of parking permits. For example, on the day the survey was conducted, only one car along typically packed Hyatt Street was parked legally -- with money in the meter -- said St. George lawyer John Luisi, a member of SGCA and Transportation Alternatives.

The planned courthouse on what is now the municipal parking lot includes a tiered parking garage that should offer some relief, but groundbreaking isn't due for at least another year.

Until then, some St. George residents suggested that city workers use the parking lots near their offices, including one on Wall Street near Stuyvesant and the far lots at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George.

Neighbors said they have noticed a recent increase in ticketing of cars with placards, but a police spokesman said the department had no comment pending receipt of the study.

Maura Yates covers transportation news for the Advance. She may be reached at myates@siadvance.com.