Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a $750,000 plan on Thursday to reduce the rat population on the Upper West Side.
“Our goal is to beat back the rats and make these places safe and clean for everyone who uses them. They deserve it, you deserve it, and all the folks of the community deserve it,” Mayor de Blasio said.
The city is replacing traditional garbage cans with rat proof ones, there will be more pest control officers and there will be an increased effort targeting people who litter. The goal is to reduce the number of rats at 12 parks, playgrounds and schools in the area.
“Rats need food. If they don’t have food they don’t hang around. And they stay in one very small area. And if there is a food supply they continue to harass everyone around. And if there is no food supply, they’re gone,” de Blasio said.
Traditional garbage cans will be replaced by 29 solar compactors, which have previously resulted in a 90 percent rat reduction. The Parks Department is also hiring an exterminator and three parks workers will be dedicated to parks on the Upper West Side.
Photo Credit: Getty Images