Mayor Adams Faces Alleged Rat Infestation Citation at Brooklyn Property
Mayor Adams, who has been actively working on a citywide rat eradication effort, found himself in the spotlight this week after receiving a $300 ticket for an alleged ongoing rat infestation at his Brooklyn property. This incident marks his second citation within the past year, raising questions about the effectiveness of his own efforts in tackling the issue.
Dispute Over Property Responsibility
During a virtual hearing with Administrative Tribunal officials, Adams defended himself by claiming that the rat problem was actually on the property next door to his Bedford-Stuyvesant home. He asserted that the inspector responsible for issuing the citation may have mistaken the source of the infestation. Surprisingly, surveillance footage provided by Adams showed that the Department of Health inspector never set foot on his Lafayette Avenue property on the date the subpoena was issued in May.
Previous Incidents and Resolution
This is not the first time Adams has faced allegations of a rat infestation at his Bedstuy home. In November, he received another $300 ticket, but his argument that the issue was on the neighboring property led to the dismissal of the citation. It was revealed that on the day after Adams was issued the citation, the adjacent building – owned by a limited liability company – received a $300 rat infestation ticket, which was promptly paid earlier this summer.
Despite these challenges, Adams remains committed to his city initiatives aimed at eradicating rats. He has received a total of five tickets since May 2022 related to his property in Bedstuy, with four of them being dismissed. In March, Adams paid $300 to resolve the fifth issue, demonstrating his willingness to address the situation.
As the mayor continues to grapple with allegations of rat infestations, the effectiveness of his eradication efforts and the responsibility of property owners in addressing such issues remain key areas of concern for both residents and officials.
