Proposed NYC bill would require response within 10 days for 311 rat complaints
Businesses in the area say they would like to see Bay Parkway and 86th and 85th streets cleaner.
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Council Woman Susan Zhuang is introducing a measure to help cut down on wait times citywide for 311 complaints, including for issues with rats.
Zhuang says the measure was drafted in response to frequent constituent calls, frustrated over an apparent lack of action to address rat issues in the area of 85th Street and 25th Avenue in her district, despite multiple 311 complaints.
"People they are placing these complaints, and they are waiting sometimes 2 or 3 months, and they are being marked as resolved, it is not resolved, my own aunt tripped over a rat in this area recently," Zhuang said.
Businesses in the area say they would like to see Bay Parkway and 86th and 85th streets cleaner, and more responsiveness from 311 complaints, as they feel it would boost their business.
"It would help get people quicker help," said restaurant owner Edis Hass.
Multiple residents spoke to News 12 off camera, detailing their 311 complaints in the area, and how residents now place their own rat traps out as rat boroughs are present throughout.
"This bill, it would mean my husband is not out all day setting traps, that we are not on the lookout for these rats, that there is an acknowledgement and response to the issue here," said one resident of the street who spoke with News 12, and showed us 311 complaints that date back to 2019.
While the bill would only require a response to the 311 complaints within the 10-day window, not a complete resolution of the issue, currently no deadline exists for a response to a documented 311 complaint.
News 12 reached out to DOH and DSNY for a response and did not hear back.
The bill now awaits a hearing in the City Council.
