New York City's War on Rats Shows Mixed Results
New York City is experiencing a decline in reported rat sightings, down 22% in the first seven months of 2026 compared to the previous year. This decrease is attributed to a 'war on rats' campaign initiated by former mayor Eric Adams, which included measures like the appointment of a 'rat czar' and the implementation of a trash containerization program. Despite these efforts, rat sightings remain above pre-COVID levels, indicating that the city's rodent problem persists. The current administration under Mayor Zohran Mamdani has continued the containerization efforts, expanding the program to more districts.