At left, people gathered at the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. November 21, 2024.
© Phil Devencentis + © Andrew Craft / USA TODAY NETWORK
(Paterson, NJ) – While New York City has hired a rat czar in recent years, and tightened up rules regarding trash containers, it seems the Silk City is headed in the opposite direction.
While rats and mice are certainly a concern in almost any urban area, residents of Paterson, New Jersey say they’re especially inundated with vermin. Specifically, business owners are sounding the alarm. And many blame the city’s reduced trash collection — after Paterson officials lowered the frequency of trash pickups. Business owners spoke to NBC News New York and said piles of trash sit in place on sidewalks and in alleyways — rats took notice — and the rodents have been gnawing away at the increased food supply.
Earlier in 2024, Paterson changed how often trash is picked up in the downtown area. It went from six days a week to just two. Meanwhile, Paterson officials say they haven’t observed a rat problem. They say anyway who feels otherwise should contact City Hall at (973)-321-1600 or by email at feedback@patersonnj.gov.
