Immediate Release: Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Contact: Nick DelleDonne,
delledonne.n@comcast.net , 703 929 6656
Citizens Call for Rodent-Proof Trash Cans
The city currently provides trash cans that rats easily gnaw through, defeating the sanitary purpose of the containers and contributing to an explosion in the rat population in DC. Dupont East Civic Action Association (DECAA) is calling for an investigation of the procurement process and asking the DC Council for a hearing to determine immediate remedial action. Over the years the District Department of Public Works (DPW) has provided DC homeowners with tens of thousands of defective trash containers, which present a health problem in neighborhoods throughout the city. Indeed, residents who hire exterminators, report that rats avoid their traps in favor of a ready source of food in trash cans.
Here are photos of trash cans rats have chewed through in Dupont Circle. Literally thousands of such examples exist throughout DC. Attached is DECAA’s complaint to city officials.
DECAA asks: Did DPW not require that the trash containers be rodent proof? Why has DPW allowed this situation to continue for years.
DECAA is requesting that the DC Auditor examine DPW’s procurement policies, that the DC Inspector General look into the possibility of misconduct, and the DC Council undertake an immediate hearing to determine remedial action.
Join the neighborhood discussion and action forum, HearUsNow!
DECAA-Letter-to-DC-Govt-Officials-Re-DPW-Causing-Explosion-in-Rat-Population-1-5-10-22.pdf