Rat Halloween Display Keeps It Real In Hoboken (PHOTOS)

HOBOKEN, NJ — Among Hoboken's topical Halloween displays this year are at least two Barbies, several Taylor Swifts, and an equal number of Travis Kelcies (is that the plural?) But one homeowner is keeping the news local with a rat display.

The city has passed a series of measures this summer to combat the increasing rat problem in town, a problem residents have noticed since the pandemic.

This month, the City Council voted 8-1 to introduce an ordinance to ban future "parklets," or outdoor dining spots built on top of street parking. The mayor vetoed that one. But the city also launched several other initiatives, including new rules about lidded trash containers (read more about the rules here).

Second Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher has even invited rat-hunting dogs into town.

And this week, Councilman Michael Russo, up for re-election, suggested a 6-point plan, including removing parklets just for winter.

Rats carry 35 diseases, the CDC says, so the situation is no small matter.

If you want to see the rat Halloween display, look at the photos above or head to the area of Eleventh and Garden streets.

But will anyone actually dress up as a Hoboken rat this year? That remains to be seen.

Here are the details for Hoboken's Halloween Parade, slated for Tuesday starting at 4 p.m.