Rats continue to torment New Yorkers, with Brooklyn bearing the brunt

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New York City has been plagued by an ongoing rat problem, with some neighborhoods experiencing a surge in rodent complaints. According to recent 311 data, several Brooklyn areas are among the highest for rat complaints this year. In our borough, the neighborhoods of Prospect Park South, Ditmas Park and Flatbush - all within the 11226 ZIP code - have recorded the most complaints related to rats. Over 18,000 New Yorkers have issued complaints, with more than 7,000 coming from Brooklyn alone. Residents are feeling the impact. “It’s not really a feeling; it’s a motion, like, excuse me, you have to walk around them. It’s not like you’re walking down the street, and something just runs in front of you. It’s like a car in an intersection not waiting," says resident Kendon. “When I'm walking down the block and I'm coming home, when I'm passing the garbage, I'll see like two to three rats within the area. Sometimes they’ll run out and go underneath the car," says resident Melissa Hodgson. For many residents, these encounters are unsettling. “I get scared whenever I see one,” says resident Kayden. In response to the growing problem, the city's Rat Czar, Kathleen Corradi, has outlined a comprehensive plan to tackle the issue. “We need to understand how rats feed, where they live, the places they like to travel, and then do our part to make sure garbage is properly contained. We need to clear litter, clear debris, and work with the community,” said Corradi. Despite these efforts, some Brooklyn residents are urging for more immediate action. They hope for quicker responses from city services while trying to manage their concerns about the persistent rodent issue in their neighborhoods. "