New York City to Invest $32 Million in its Rat Problem

Cole Rosengren explains a new initiative announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio recently that will spend $32 million to "reduce the rat population in three of the city's 'most infested areas' and make other policy changes that could have citywide effects."

The effort will be spearheaded by the city's Department of Sanitation, focusing mostly on trash collection infrastructure. While the initiative will replace bins in neighborhoods in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, citywide changes could also be in store if the New York City Council approves several laws proposed by the de Blasio Administration. "One law would increase illegal dumping fines for businesses from $1,500 to $5,000 for first offenses and eventually up to $20,000 for subsequent violations," reports Rosengren. "Other laws could also prevent buildings with 10 or more units from placing their waste out before 4 a.m. on collection days — essentially giving them a two-hour window to do so — and require problematic buildings or businesses in specific areas to divert their organic waste for separate collection."