The director of the D.C. Department of Health said the only way to eradicate an infestation of rats at two Occupy protest camps in the District is to completely clear the parks of tents and structures until the rodents are dealt with.
But there’s no telling whether the National Park Service, which controls both the McPherson Square and Freedom Plaza campsites, would agree to such a drastic step even though tents would be removed only temporarily, District Health Director Mohammad Akhter told The Washington Examiner on Tuesday.
A National Park Service representative did not immediately return a call for comment Tuesday. U.S. Park Police spokesman David Schlosser said he hadn’t heard of any plans to remove tents and clear out rodents.
The Health Department has no jurisdiction over federally owned McPherson Square or Freedom Plaza, but District officials have been periodically checking in on protesters to ensure they’re staying warm and preparing food properly. Last week, officials stopped by both camps after receiving complaints about rats from nearby residents and businesses. The McPherson camp temporarily shut down its kitchen in response to the visit, but has since reopened it.
Akhter said health officials have noticed “very unsanitary conditions” in kitchen areas at McPherson, and an increased number of rats and birds “picking” at prepared food. Rats have been digging burrows and hiding in straw-filled wooden pallets beneath the tents, he said. Tents would have to be temporarily removed to get at the rats, he said.
The department would have to remove everything from the parks to deal with the rat population effectively, including filling in rat burrows, Akhter said.
McPherson Square Occupiers said it’s unfair to blame them for rats in the park. Rats are a common urban problem and were already in the park when Occupiers arrived in October, they said.
“I think they’re making a big deal out of it,” said protester Basant Khalesa. “Before we got to this park, there were rats and squirrels, and when we leave there’ll be rats and squirrels.”
Akhter said he’s also concerned about protesters suffering hypothermia as temperatures plummet. Their tents weren’t designed for severe winter weather, he said.
“Those tents can’t withstand freezing, subfreezing temperatures,” he said.
Akhter’s solution to the cold? He’s encouraging protesters to move indoors and use the park only as a daytime base of operations.
“We’re pleading [with protesters] to take care of themselves first,” he said.
