Judson Street area residents are complaining about rats thriving on food and other items left behind by a Coronation Park homeless encampment. Photo by Ian Robertson.
Angry residents of the Judson Street area have complained to City officials of a rat infestation problem they say is caused from food and other garbage from a homeless encampment.
They said homeless people living at Coronation Park, in the Judson Street and Royal York Road area, are responsible for mountains of food and other refuse at the park, which the vermins thrive on.
“I have been here for more than 30-years and we have never had rats,” complained Dan Irwin. “The rats are expanding their territory as the garbage dump expands.”
One of a number of homeless people who have set up camp at Coronation Park leaving mountains of garbage which rats love. Photo by Ian Robertson.
Irwin has seen several of the critters running around his yard and some residents have resorted to traps to control the infestation.
He told fellow residents by e-mail that he has notified Toronto Public Health, Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Amber Morley of the infestation and has not heard back.
“I should have mentioned and emphasized Bubonic Plague coming to Mimico,” Irwin wrote. “The City should be involved, it is a result of their negligence.”
Some residents say they haven’t seen a rat in the area for 30 plus years until now.
Residents said City crews cleaned up the park in early June and took out piles of garbage, but the squatters were allowed to remain until officials can find them housing.
Long-time resident George Marnica, of Harold Street, described the situation as a rat-a-palooza.
“This is ridiculous and potentially a health risk for all,” Marnica said. “I just had a rat stroll through my backyard on a leisurely walk.”
He said ‘we are being turned into a Third World country and cities.’
Claudette Piscione said the rat situation will only get worse as the summer begins.
“Amber (Morley) we voted you in now we need you to step up for our community this needs to be dealt with immediately,” Piscione wrote.
Tents from some members of the Coronation Park encampment have been there all winter leaving their garbage behind that residents say attract the rats.
Local businessman Hubert Walsh said the mountains of garbage from some of the homeless are unbearable.
“The garbage build up is almost double to what was there last week,” Walsh said. “Unbelievable how much garbage this guy (homeless) is surrounding his tent with.”
There were three tents pitched up along a fence of the park in recent days.
Residents said some of the homeless make their way into a seniors residence next door to use the washroom and sleep in vacant apartments.