Politics & Government

Occupy DC: Georgetown Has Bigger Rats

Protestors object to Mayor Gray's call for their removal based on health concerns.

Mayor Vincent Gray asked the National Park Service to remove the Occupy D.C. encampment, citing health concerns because of a rat infestation. Occupy D.C.'s response? Georgetown has rats, too.

In a Washington Post article on the ongoing efforts of the Occupy D.C. encampment at McPherson Square, one protester is quoted as saying

“Georgetown has bigger rats, and nobody is trying to move residents out of there.”

Find out what's happening in Georgetownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Last week, Mohammad N. Akhter, the director of the District’s Department of Health, told the Post that the rat populations have "exploded" near the two Occupy camps in downtown D.C.

While Georgetown is an easy target for the 99 percent—given the high income levels of many of its residents—there are those who may take offense to the rat comment.

Find out what's happening in Georgetownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID) runs a rat abatement program in the neighborhood to combat the rodent population that is attracted to restaurant and waterfront areas. It started in 2007 with one pilot alley and has expanded since then.

When it comes to rodent size, "I don’t know if Georgetown has got anything bigger than anywhere else in the city," said BID Operations Director John Wiebenson.

The BID pays $45,000 a year for exterior public space pest control in 18 targeted areas throughout Georgetown from Book Hill to the Canal. The Department of Health also funds inspections and education programs for business owners to make sure bags are not left out in alleys and that waste is handled appropriately.

Last year only one of the 18 rat abatement areas had a failing grade during a random inspection by the DOH and when it was revisited a few months later, the site passed.


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