[New York Diary] War Against Rats... Seeking a 'Rat Control Expert' with a $170,000 Salary

Rats Outnumber People in New York City
A Surge in Sightings Sparks Public Health Concerns
City Declares "War on Rats" with New Measures and a High-Paying Expert Role

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] If you live in Manhattan, New York, there is something you often see. Some even say that rats, which are the main characters, "live more than people" in this city. Last summer, I encountered rats of various sizes every day regardless of life or death, so after autumn came, I developed a phobia to the point where I was startled just by the rustling of fallen leaves. What’s even more embarrassing is that I am the only person who is always startled whenever I encounter a rat. While sitting in Bryant Park in Manhattan drinking coffee, when I saw a rat passing by about 3 meters ahead and was half on the verge of tears, an American friend laughed and said, "Hey. This is New York City."

This year, New York City has been suffering from an increase in rat infestations following the pandemic. As of September, there were about 21,600 rat sighting reports filed in New York City, a 71% surge compared to the same period in 2020. It also increased by nearly 20% compared to the same period last year. Online, a video showing a rat dragging a slice of pizza under the stairs of a New York subway station repeatedly became a hot topic.

Rats overrunning New York City is not a new story. An 1865 article in The New York Times reported that rat infestations in the city were so "bold" that they searched for food in broad daylight and even threatened small dogs. However, recently, even New Yorkers accustomed to rats have been voicing complaints that the rat problem has become more serious. New Yorker Marchell Rocha said, "Of course, there have always been rats in New York," but added, "They have grown bigger and bolder. They even run at people." Rodents like rats can carry salmonella and leptospira bacteria, directly linking to public health and hygiene issues. Moreover, in recent months, there have been unfortunate cases of pet dogs suspected to have died after ingesting rat poison sprayed in various places to catch the rampant rats.

Citizens point out that rats, which had been searching for food in the shadows after many restaurants closed at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, started to run out onto the streets. Furthermore, with the implementation of outdoor table service, scenes of rat swarms searching for food on the streets have become more common. Local media also reported, "Since outdoor dining spaces were installed, black garbage bags have been piling up like mountains on one side of the street," calling it "a perfect hiding place for rats." It is also analyzed that public officials responsible for pest control, including rats, were reassigned to focus on vaccinations during the pandemic, which influenced the expansion of rat behavior and range.

New York City did not just stand by watching the rat infestations. This fall, the city even prepared a package ordinance to eradicate the increasingly frequent rat swarms. It was essentially a declaration of war against rats. Mayor Eric Adams emphasized at the time, "The war on crime, the war on inequality, and the war on rats show that we are focusing on making this city a better place to live."

The fact that crime, inequality, and rats were mentioned on the same level as war targets indicates how seriously New York City views this issue. The New York Times (NYT) even evaluated, "Mayor Adams is doing a lot regarding homelessness, budget, and crime, but there is no more consistent stance in his official actions than his 'obsession with rats.'" Some media outlets even coined the term "The rats initiative."

According to the rat eradication package ordinance released a few months ago, the New York City Department of Health has taken measures to identify areas where rat swarms frequently appear and create so-called "rat suppression zones." In these areas, rat sightings must be reported to the city council. Buildings above a certain size are even required to designate garbage disposal times, and companies applying for building permits must report plans to prevent rat infestations within the building. The budget for installing rat traps and related measures has also been expanded. New York City has also commissioned a study worth $4 million to research rat eradication cases in other cities.

Moreover, a few days into December, New York City made another bold announcement. It declared that it would recruit a rat control expert with a high salary. On the 1st of this month, Mayor Adams tweeted, "There is nothing I hate more than rats," and announced the creation of a senior position to coordinate and take responsibility for various rat removal operations conducted by the city. During the first 11 months of Mayor Adams’ term, this is the sixth announcement related to rat control.

The official title is Director of Rodent Mitigation. The annual salary ranges from $120,000 to $170,000 (approximately 150 million to 220 million KRW). Currently, New York City operates a rat eradication task force (TF) and employs biologists, and the newly hired director will oversee all related projects. Applicants must have a college degree or higher and at least five years of experience.

What is the most important qualification? Looking closely at the job posting reveals interesting phrases. Fierce passion for pests? Experience in urban planning and project management? New York City emphasized that "drive and decisiveness to fight persistent rat swarms" along with a "killer instinct" are the most required qualities.

Will New York City be able to make "progress" in the war against rats by recruiting an expert with a killer instinct? Of course, it remains to be seen, but watching New Yorkers throw leftover coffee and bread directly into street trash bins today makes one think there is still a long way to go. This is why Manhattan, New York, inevitably remains the best habitat for rats.