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A Rodent Invasion In The Upper West Side Prompts The Hanging Of Rat Crossing Signs [Video]

Posted: August 31, 2012
A Rodent Invasion In The Upper West Side Prompts The Hanging Of Rat Crossing Signs [Video]

manhattan rat crossing signs

New York City, NY – One New Yorker became so fed up with rodents scurrying around his neighborhood that he decided to hang up rat crossing signs. Although the furry residents obviously cannot read the signs, Joseph Bolanos hopes the plastic, yellow placards get the attention of Manhattan officials.

Bolanos, the West 76th Street Block Association president, admits the “Rat-Xing” emblems with the image of a big black rodent in the middle might be construed as “flippant” but notes has grown weary of dealing with the pesky little creatures on a daily basis, NBC News reports.

“A woman in the building next door said she could hear the rats outside screaming and screeching. I’ve heard neighbors thinking someone got attacked outside because they hear shrieks, but it was just people who were passing by running with the fear of God in them from all of the rats frolicking like it’s Cirque du Soleil,” Bolanos stated during the interview.

Upper West Side residents infuriated over the growing rat problem feel the invasion began and continues because construction workers leave lunch trash at a nearby worksite. The street block president and fellow Manhattan residents irritated with the ongoing problem call the construction zone a virtual “buffet” for the unwelcome rodents, Fox News reports.

New York City Councilwoman Gale Brewer garnered $50,000 to pay for public trash cans with built-in compactors to cut down on loose trash in the 76th Street area.

Although the signs taped to light poles may seem humorous, Upper West Side citizens are not laughing. Significant quality of life issues have been raised at public meetings and during “Rat Academy” informational meetings hosted by the local health department.



Comments


6 Archived Responses to “ A Rodent Invasion In The Upper West Side Prompts The Hanging Of Rat Crossing Signs [Video] ”

  1. Ashley Dearborn
    Sep 3, 2012

    The rats wouldn't be there if the HUMANS could keep their city clean.

  2. Cynthia Philip
    Sep 3, 2012

    Rats will only gather where there is food. Ashley is very right about keeping the city clean (in this case, the construction workers). Rats do not carry diseases like people think. They are actually very clean animals and will keep to themselves for the most part. Rats are not the only ones to gather where there is food. Feral cats will also gather, yet I never hear anything about that being a problem. What about pigeons, and black birds, raccoons and such?
    Get a grip people. Don't blame little critters for what humans has brought about!

  3. Amanda Dutro
    Sep 3, 2012

    Cynthia do you mind if I copy and Paste the article AND your paragraph to my facebook to share with others?

  4. Anne Brooks
    Sep 3, 2012

    I agree – rats will only gather where there is food. The best way to stop them is to keep the place totally spotless and free of food scraps

  5. Ashley Dearborn
    Sep 3, 2012

    you see it with people all the time… the mall food court, the fair, friends houses, LOL

  6. Amanda Dutro
    Sep 3, 2012

    "but it was just people who were passing by running with the fear of God in them from all of the rats frolicking like it’s Cirque du Soleil".
    I absolutely LOVE this part this makes me laugh inside. It is very silly and sad how people find rats so disgusting, they are very clean animals. Its the fault (mostly) of mankind for them being "dirty", because we as people are "dirty" creatures. Look at our cities full or filth and trash! OH how I wish I had been there to see these people running in fear of a tiny little creature!