DPW explores rat-resistant sensor-equipped public bins after commissioners cite rodent surge

Several ANC commissioners told the committee that overflowing and damaged public and residential carts are contributing to rodent problems across commercial corridors and alleys. David Rubinstein described seeing "scores of rats crossing the alley" and urged districtwide deployment of sealed receptacles on commercial blocks.

DPW said it has met with vendors (BigBelly and Metro Store) and is exploring pilot deployments for parks such as Rose Park and Volta Park. "We have 6,632 public litter cans that DPW is responsible for," Interim Director Anthony Crispino said, and he gave a ballpark replacement cost of about $3,500 to $4,500 per fully enclosed unit. "If you go on the high end...to replace all of the litter cans across the district, that would be about $29,800,000," he told the committee.

DPW and DOH (Department of Health) staff discussed evaluation approaches: DOH recommended replacing every can within a pilot footprint to measure rodent response, and DPW said pilot selection would include parks and high-usage commercial corridors. No commitment was made to immediate large-scale procurement; DPW said it will pursue small pilots and report back with costs and operational plans.