Take care, rodents! A new rat dictator has taken over. On Wednesday 12 April, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of Kathleen Corradi to the role of citywide director of rodent mitigation or “rat czar” as the locals call the position.
Corradi’s newly formed position will require him to coordinate rat control efforts amongst city departments, nonprofits and the business sector. Rats pose a serious threat to residents’ health and quality of life.
“New York City has done a lot recently when it comes to fighting public enemy number one: rats. But it was clear we needed someone solely focused on leading our rat reduction efforts across all five boroughs, and today I’m proud to announce Kathy Corradi as New York City’s first-ever ‘rat czar,’” Adams said in a statement.
“Kathy has the knowledge, drive, experience, and energy to send rats packing and create a cleaner more welcoming city for all New Yorkers.”
According to the mayor’s office, Corradi holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Eckerd College and a Master of Science in Urban Sustainability from The City College of New York. At the beginning of her career, she worked as a program leader at Brooklyn Botanic Garden and as an elementary school teacher in Central Brooklyn.
As part of the Department of Energy’s Office of Sustainability, she created New York City’s Zero Waste Schools program, the biggest zero waste program in the country, which has impacted over 350,000 kids. Corradi also directed the agency’s efforts to reduce rat populations in nearly 120 public schools, which resulted in 70% compliance with the Neighborhood Rat Reduction taskforce’s recommendations.
According to the mayor’s office, Corradi will work closely with Meera Joshi, the deputy mayor for operations and Anne Williams-Isom, the deputy mayor for health and human services. Corradi will report to Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack.
“Rat mitigation is more than a quality-of-life issue for New Yorkers,” Corradi said in a statement. “Rats are a symptom of systemic issues, including sanitation, health, housing, and economic justice.
As the first director of rodent mitigation, I’m excited to bring a science- and systems-based approach to fight rats. New York may be famous for the Pizza Rat, but rats, and the conditions that help them thrive will no longer be tolerated — no more dirty curbs, unmanaged spaces, or brazen burrowing.
I’m honored to lead this work, grateful to Mayor Adams for this opportunity, and look forward to sending the rats packing.”
The mayor also announced $3.5 million in funding beginning in FY2023 to expand and accelerate rodent mitigation efforts throughout Harlem, as well as the creation of a new Harlem Rat Mitigation Zone.
With approximately $3.5 million in funding, our multi-agency team in Harlem will be able to test innovative mitigation strategies, increase outreach and education, and improve maintenance and remediation. Kathy will be in charge of this initiative. Adams added, “The rats will despise Kathy, but we couldn’t be happier to have her leading this vital effort.”
Community Boards 9, 10, and 11 in Harlem will be included in the rollout of the Harlem Rat Mitigation Zone. These areas are home to almost 70 public schools, nearly 70 NYCHA buildings, and over 10,000 private residences.
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The $3.5 million will be used to test new and developing technology to combat rats and to fund mitigation efforts in Harlem by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the New York City Parks Department, the New York City Housing Authority, and the Department of Energy.
Private properties in Harlem will be examined twice yearly for rat-related infractions and fines will be enforced if any are found. City locations will undergo monthly inspections.
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