Growing rat problem on Mamaroneck Avenue leaves locals demanding a solution
The privately-owned Westchester Republican County Committee located on 214 Mamaroneck Avenue is riddled with rat holes throughout its property and many, including local community members and the property's owners, are calling for a collaborative solution.
More Stories
There's an ever-growing rat problem on Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains.
"They're always running back and forth through there, up through the bushes and near the sidewalk. So, yeah its not comforting, especially with restaurants right there," said Elizabeth Tangredi, who works in the area.
Many in the area agree it is a problem. The owner of Sundance Kitchen and Cantina believes it is due to construction in the area.
"They're running around here because of the dirt. White Plains is building a lot of buildings, and it's all concrete. Here, they come because there's dirt," said owner Genaro Dominguez.
Inside the building, Doug Colety, who is the chairman of the committee, showed News 12 multiple invoices and documentation from two separate exterminators who work on the property.
He believes the rats first started showing up last year and stayed because of food in the area.
He says an architect is coming in on Saturday to replace the building's front porch with concrete underneath and that fumigation is scheduled for Monday.
However, he says he believes that without city intervention, the problem will only continue.
"The BID needs to be involved. The administration needs to be involved. DPW, building department, and the health department before this goes away. I suspect we are going to spend $30,000 and 6 months from now have the same problem," said Doug Colety, Chairman of the Westchester Republican Committee.
"This is private property and the owner is responsible for eliminating the rat problem. The White Plains Department of Buildings has been in regular contact with the owner and has issued summonses ordering that they comply with our laws to ensure that the rat problem is addressed. The City of White Plains will remain involved and vigilant until this is fixed," White Plains Mayor Justin Brasch wrote in a statement.
