Rat Cam Chronicles: A Tenant's Battle Against Infestation in Crown Heights, Brooklyn
A resident in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, has been live streaming a rat infestation in his apartment to pressure his landlord to address the issue. The "Rat Cam" captures the rodents' nightly activities, including scurrying, fighting, and chewing above the kitchen ceiling. Despite multiple exterminator visits, the problem persists, with rats even heard in the bathroom and baking soda used to mask the smell of decaying rodents.
The tenant, Adam Schleser, has used music to express his frustration, creating a song titled "I Am a Rat" to accompany the live feed. Other residents in the building complex have reported similar rat problems, leading Schleser to organize them through WhatsApp. The management company, Alma Realty, has defended its pest control efforts, attributing the increase in rodent sightings to construction projects in the area.
While Alma Realty claims to have a comprehensive plan in place to address the issue, official inspections have revealed rat-related violations in the complex. Despite facing legal action for mismanagement in the past, the company maintains that it is following Department of Health protocols. Schleser continues to withhold rent in protest, determined to hold the management accountable for the ongoing rat infestation.
The live stream serves as a constant reminder of the challenges faced by residents living with rats in close proximity. Schleser's persistence in documenting the issue highlights the need for effective action to address the rat infestation plaguing the Brooklyn Jewish Hospital apartment complex.