Brooklyn Is Invited To A Rat Summit

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN — You are cordially invited to a rat summit.

The Brooklyn Borough President will host town hall at Restoration Plaza Thursday night to discuss a city-wide rat problem that a new study found is worst in Bed-Stuy.

Adams organized the forum after news broke that Brooklyn had the highest number of rat complaints last year and that Bed-Stuy residents complained about rats 1,265 times, more than in any other city neighborhood, according to a RentHop study.

"You have to literally run to get in your house to avoid the RATS if you happen to come home in the wee hours of the morning,” Bed-Stuy resident Marcia Prince wrote in response to a summit invitation on NextDoor.com. “It is absolutely horrible."

This is not the first time the city has focused its attention on the neighborhood's rat problem. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a $33-million rat attack in 2017 where the problem is worst and, in Brooklyn, he meant Bushwick and Bed-Stuy. The money went toward a slew of rat-proof, solar powered trash compactors and more frequent garbage pickups.

But the pesky problem persists and on Thursday night Brooklynites will have a chance to air their grievances and receive a “Rodent Academy” course on preventing infestations from the Health Department.

Representatives from the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit, the Department of Buildings, Department of Education, and Department of Sanitation will also be there to answer questions.

The Brooklyn Borough President’s office announced the summit on NextDoor — a neighborhood-based social media site — earlier this week. Residents were quick to offer pointers from their own anti-rat repertoires.

“If you notice rats burrowing in your yard, or in the tree in front of your place, buy dry ice & drop it in both ends of the tunnel,” suggested Shuna Lydon. “they will die in their sleep.”

“One GREAT way is to support the stray ‘ feral cat communities .... help a caregiver,” wrote Monet Cherise. “We can be ahead w our own little four legged spayed & neutered army.”

Locals can RSVP here for the forum, which will be held at Restoration Plaza at 1368 Fulton St. on Thursday at 6 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock