New York City has hired its first-ever director of rodent mitigation, Kathleen Corradi, in an effort to tackle the city’s long-standing rat problem. The announcement was made via a tweet from The New York Times on Tuesday.
Corradi will be responsible for overseeing efforts to drive down the rat population in the city. Her appointment comes amid concerns about the increase in rat sightings and complaints from residents across all five boroughs over the past year.
According to data provided by OpenTheBooks.com, New York City spent $2.9 million on pest control services during fiscal year 2020. Despite these efforts, rats remain a persistent problem for many neighborhoods.
Mayor Bill de Blasio has previously acknowledged that eradicating rats is a constant challenge for cities like New York due to their complex behavior patterns and breeding habits. However, he expressed confidence that Corradi’s expertise would help address this issue.
“Kathleen Corradi brings extensive experience and knowledge to this crucial role,” de Blasio said in a statement released on Wednesday. “I’m confident she’ll make an immediate impact as we work toward making our streets cleaner and safer.”
Corradi previously served as director of pest management at the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), where she oversaw efforts to control pests in public housing developments throughout the city. In her new role, she will work closely with various agencies including NYCHA, the Department of Sanitation, and the Health Department.
New Yorkers have taken notice of this announcement with mixed reactions; some are hopeful while others are skeptical if one person can solve such a pervasive issue. Nonetheless, it’s clear that Corradi has her work cut out for her as she takes on this new challenge in order to keep New York City clean and healthy.