Residents press council for stronger trash and rodent controls after multiple neighborhood complaints

During the June 11 open forum multiple residents described recurring rodent problems and issues with sanitation service.

Colleen King (1132 Asbury Avenue) said she documented rat burrows on her property and neighboring lots, spent hundreds to thousands of dollars on extermination and landscape changes, and reported persistent problems with overflowing restaurant dumpsters. She asked the city to distribute mailed information on proper trash storage, dumpster maintenance and rodent prevention and suggested expanded use of rodent-proof carts in commercial neighborhoods.

Charles Ferimky (209 Wesley Road) described repeated missed trash pickups and said he had been told collection crews were new; he urged better training and responsiveness because trash pickup complaints are frequent. Janice Dixon also reported multiple rat sightings on her property and said neighboring properties with overflowing bins are feeding local infestations.

Residents said bait boxes had been installed in some areas but called that a temporary measure. Several asked the council and code enforcement to pursue long-term solutions that include outreach to businesses with daily collections and enforcement of dumpster enclosures.