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Mayor Adams Launches “NYC Rat Pack” to Tackle City’s Rodent Problem

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By: Rob Otto

In a bid to combat the city’s persistent rat problem, Mayor Eric Adams is calling for volunteers to join an “elite squad of dedicated anti-rat activists.” This group, named the “New York City Rat Pack,” takes inspiration from the 1950s ensemble of A-listers like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Participants in this modern-day Rat Pack will receive branded merchandise such as t-shirts and hats featuring a clever rodent logo, announced Adams during a community cleanup event in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

The NY Post reported on this issue and spoke to many people with various viewpoints on the rat situation.

Throughout his tenure as mayor, Adams has made significant efforts to address New York City’s rodent issues. His initiatives include mandating the use of garbage containers and appointing a “rat czar” with a hefty salary of $170,000 per year. The Rat Pack is the latest addition to his campaign, involving a three-step process to deputize New Yorkers in the battle against these pests. Participants first attend a Department of Health “Rat Academy,” where they learn safe and effective methods of rat prevention. Next, they join a “rat walk” to gain insights into the rodents’ lives in the city. Finally, they participate in or host events that promote clean, rat-free environments.

The incentive of flashy merchandise has caught the attention of some New Yorkers. Aminat, a 59-year-old resident of Brooklyn, expressed interest but emphasized her genuine concern for the city. “The shirt is nice, but I wouldn’t do it for the shirt,” she said. “I would do it because I live here.”

However, not all residents are eager to join the effort. Wilson Cheng, who has lived in Sunset Park for 15 years, argues that the sanitation department’s failure to consistently pick up trash contributes significantly to the rat problem. “It’s not our society that is the problem; it’s that they don’t pick it up,” Cheng explained. “Sometimes we have garbage out, and for two weeks, they don’t pick it up. We have to take it back inside.”

In contrast, some New Yorkers are supportive of Mayor Adams’ initiative, NY Post spoke to several individuals.

Maria Saldana, a Brooklyn resident of 38 years, believes that collective action can make a difference. “If everyone does a little bit of something, we can keep the city a little cleaner,” she said while standing near dozens of trash bags in Sunset Park. Saldana expressed her frustration with the city’s increasing filthiness and her willingness to volunteer to improve conditions. “I’ve lived here for 38 years, and I’ve never seen the city so dirty,” she lamented. “I can’t take it anymore.”

Ashley Byrne, director of outreach and communications for an animal rights group, appreciates the program’s focus on humane and non-lethal preventative measures, such as neighborhood cleanups. “We are absolutely in favor because it’s prevention, instead of slaughter, that will be the solution to concerns that New York will be flooded by rats,” she stated. However, Byrne also urged the mayor to target those responsible for littering the streets and subways, rather than demonizing the rats themselves, in her conversation with the Post’s outstanding reporter

The concern about rats is not just a matter of cleanliness; it also involves public health. Rats are known carriers of various diseases, including leptospirosis, hantavirus, and salmonella. They spread these diseases through their urine, droppings, and saliva, which can contaminate food and water sources.

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