Since 9/11, many communities in New York City have seen their streets swamped by police cars and vehicles with special permits. In Chinatown, however, the situation is worse.

On April 25, Transportation Alternatives released a report based on field research conducted last March 29, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., in a five-street-block area in Chinatown, from Canal Street to Brooklyn Bridge and from Center Street to Bowery Street.

The researchers found that 150 vehicles were illegally parked in the area, 99 of them parked on sidewalks or in front of hydrants. Sixteen parked blocking pedestrian islands. Of all the illegal parking, 90 percent are vehicles with NYPD issued permits. Many are cars used by people working in the precinct or courts in the area.

The report pointed out that cars with special permits are allowed to park in places designated for business purposes only, and under no circumstances can they park on the sidewalks or block hydrants.

Illegal parking not only made it difficult for emergency vehicles to navigate the area, the report added, but it also puts local residents at risk.

“Illegal parking, which takes over streets and sidewalks, is suffocating Chinatown,” said Paul Steely White, executive director of the Transportation Alternatives, in a press conference.

Many of the Chinatown residents who attended the press conference said that they were fed up with all the vehicles with special permits.

Jan Lee, who was once arrested for taking photos of illegally parked cars, showed another photo he said was taken 10 minutes before he came to the press conference. He said that nothing has changed.

Doreen Chan said that illegal parking in front of hydrants threatened their safety and property. Many permits clearly stated that it is only valid for three-hour parking, but cars owners showed no respect for the regulations and parked as long as they wanted.

Business owners and residents have even paid for damages caused by cars. Residents of Chatham Square have recently spent $9,000 on sidewalk repairs.

Chan called on the city to conduct a thorough investigation and set up clear rules to control the issuing of permits.

Michael Lau, deputy inspector from the Fifth Precinct, admitted that illegal parking is a persistent problem in Chinatown and has been his priority since taking on the job.

Lau said that he had a discussion with authorities in the Department of Transportation, FBI and courts in the area. The court has promised to direct its employees not to park on Bayard and Mott Streets. The Fifth Precinct has also started to issue tickets to illegally parked cars.