Photo of a rat from encampment in a Judson Street resident’s backyard. Courtesy photo.
Toronto Police say they have witnessed rats in Coronation Park on a visit following complaints of an encampment there by members of the Judson Street Community.
Const. James Karpik, of 22 Division Neighbourhood Community Officer Team, in an email to a City of Toronto official and a resident, said he inspected the park on May 12 following complaints and saw rats in the encampment area.
“I have also observed several rats in the immediate area due to food laying in the open,” Karpik said in his correspondence.
Judson Street Community residents said they have sought help to control the rat infestation from Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Amber Morley without luck. Now police are ordering the City to clean up the site again.
He said the area was cleaned up several weeks ago and is now littered again with suitcases, clothing and other types of garbage.
“I have also seen evidence of several small Sumach trees that have been cut down and their wood used for a camp fire,” the officer wrote.
Karpik asked City officials for a cleanup crew ‘to return for a quick clean-up as it would be greatly appreciated.’
Residents in the Judson Street Community area have been seeking help unsuccessfully from City officials, including Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor and Deputy Mayor Amber Morley, to help control the rat infestation issue.
A homeless man sleeping in Coronation Park leaving leftover food behind on which rats thrive. Residents are desperate for help from City officials.
Taneisha Thompson, of Morley’s office, in an email said they have informed the City’s encampment team about the new garbage in the park but was not sure when it will be cleaned up.
She said staff from the Parks and Forestry Department will be inspecting Coronation Park for rat holes and investigate pest control measures.
“With encampments and tents set up across the city, resources are prioritized by the encampment team based on need,” Thompson told residents.
She said ‘If a location does not have a portable washroom placed by the City, local resources where individuals can access public facilities are shared.
City staff cleaned up the park but left the homeless behind. Police said the park needs another clean up and residents say they cannot get help from Councillor Amber Morley or Mayor Olivia Chow.
Thompson was not sure when something can be done to control curt the rats, which are now multiplying and invading the yards of area residents.
Residents have sent out photos of rats seen on their property. They fear the critters will spread a disease to people or their pets..
They said the rats feed on the leftovers from a number of homeless people living in tents in the park.
Another camper makes way to his tent which has been there all winter without hygienic facilities, except the bush nearby.
Area resident Dan Irwin said he had not seen a rat in the area until now and he has been living there for 39 years.
Irwin said he recently watched as ‘at least 5 baby rats frolicked in my backyard.’ He said it’s the most he has seen and the critters are multiplying.
A number of other residents have written to City officials to voice their concerns about a rat infestation problem in the community sparked by the park encampment.