Merchants in Westchester Square say local recruiters for the military abuse parking in the area, leaving few empty spaces for anyone else.

To help ease congestion, the landlord of Boyle's Auto Wreckers lot says he offered Armed Forces recruiters 15 spots for $1,000 a month, but has not had any takers.

"I would cut out a section of the property here, fence it in, so this way they can use it whenever they want," says lot owner Pete Mestousis.

Army Lt. Col. Cook says the military is interested in parking, but only if it's free. He says otherwise, there would have to be a contractual agreement.

Community Board 10 says U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley is scheduling a meeting with all the government agencies and merchants in Westchester Square to discuss the parking problem. An Army representative says they'll be in attendance as soon as a date is picked.