This is not a new problem at this location. It's been reported before. The city doesn't seem to care much. which is not surprising given how dirty and poorly maintained this city is.

If you start leaving them food, they may decide to stop getting it from the garbage can and be less visible to you.

Thanks for posting. Though I haven't seen any in the past few years, this is the only place that I have seen rats anywhere in New Haven in the past 15 years, other than over by the boulders at Long Wharf Park (and I am out in every neighborhood pretty often).

It seems that there are some pavement issues at this corner as well, as evidenced by a sewer-like smell and cracking pavers and asphalt. This may indicate that areas underneath the sidewalk or street are structurally failing, which could make them more prone to rat use.

The rats downtown are bad expecily over by the bus stop by footlocker when I wait for the bus there I stand across the street they are bold and will come real close to you and all over the benches

I'm sure the city's dumb and inefficient process for empting trash barrels, which actually leaves full bags of garbage laying on the sidewalk, sometimes 2 & 3 bags high for days, does not help. (Makes the city look nice too)
The system; a city worker comes to the trash barrel pulls out a full plastic bag of garbage and puts in a new bag, leaves the full bag on the sidewalk for a second city worker and vehicle to pick up some day, maybe. Than days later that first city worker will comes back to that same trash barrel pull out the full bag of garbage and drops it on top of the one he left there several days ago and leave. amazing. The head of the D.P.W. must be the Mayors brother.

Actually the city doesn't pick up the garbage at all. The downtown residence pay a special tax to the town green district. Which in turn has stared using its small budget to pick up where the city falls flat. This method is the best one they could come up with since they don't own any garbage trucks. When workers they also pay to pick up trash on street see a full garbage can they pull the bag and put a new one in other workers drive around picking up the bags. It's not the best but if the city would do empty the trash on a regular basis this wouldn't be a problem. So thanks the the clean team for doing the best they can.

Why would it not be more efficient to have the person who removes the full bag of garage take it with them, instead of leaving it on the sidewalk? It's terrible To walk around town and see garbage bags laying on the sidewalks, sometimes a pile of 2 & 3 bags. Even worse when the can and bottle collectors tear them open. And surely it does not help a rodent problem.

This area is currently under reconstruction to repair pipes that had been damaged. The leaking pipes eroded the soil and opened up space for rats to access. The reconstruction includes filling the spaces which should help alleviate the rat problem. If you would like to inquire further regarding the manner in which the Town Green Special Services District manages the trash barrels, you can do so by contacting them through their website: http://www.towngreendistrict.com/contact-us/

See above response.

As we close these older Trash issues which have lingered in the "Other" category for awhile, we realize some have been addressed, some may still remain and a few others have appeared in a different category. If your trash issue remains, please open a new SCF report under Trash category and we will follow up. Thanks