RI, MA EHS Pest Control Blog

Bed Bugs Make Jail An Even More Unpleasant Place To Be

The holding-cell area in the 120th Precinct station on Staten Island has been shut down as officials grapple with a bed bug infestation that has made conditions there unpleasant for prisoners. A defense attorney tells the Staten Island Advance that for months now bed bugs have been a problem in the holding cells, which are notoriously filthy. You may recall this dump from the story about the licensed massage therapist who was arrested and forced to clean an overflowing toilet at the station house before cops let her go without charging her. Looks like cops need to arrest a couple of exterminators now.

"There were some critters found in the area where the cell attendant works," one "NYPD insider" tells the Advance. "They’re trying to process as few people as they can through there," says another source. In a statement issued by the Department of Correction, a spokesperson says, "We are aware of concerns in the Staten Island 120 Precinct regarding bedbugs. DOC will have an exterminator go out tomorrow [Friday] to inspect our Staten Island court facilities [holding pens]. If there is a problem, we will arrange to treat the pens with a combination of steam and chemicals when the pens are empty — over the weekend."

Bedbugs have previously infiltrated the school system, the United Nations, district attorneys offices, and Howard Stern—so it was only a matter of time before they wound up in jail. But we think the city is going about this all wrong; they should be welcoming the bed bugs with open veins! Let them have the jail. Hell, let them have the whole precinct. Pack as many bed bugs in there as possible, then bomb the whole place back to the stone age. True, they'd probably survive that too, but it sure would feel good, wouldn't it?

Source: Gothamist.com

George Williams
General Manager - Staff Entomologist

Pest Control, RI, Pest Control, MA

Westlake High Cafeteria Closed Down by Rodent Infestation

The cafeteria at Westlake High School in Thousand Oaks was shut down earlier this week because of a rodent infestation and unsanitary conditions, officials said.

County environmental health inspected the site Tuesday and suspended its license until the problems could be resolved. The cafeteria was closed Wednesday and has remained shuttered as staff correct the issues, said, Superintendent Jeffrey Baarstad of the Conejo Valley Unified School District.

In the meantime, the county OK'd the school serving prepackaged food on the quad. That food is prepared in the district's central kitchen.

"We've been aware of the problem," Baarstad said. Over the past week and a half, the school used exterminators and worked to stop rodents from getting inside the building but wasn't able to fix the problem in time.

The issue likely stems from extensive renovation work on the large building that houses the cafeteria, kitchen and theater, along with the site's proximity to a barranca and the hillside. Rodents can squeeze in any gap or hole left unsealed — even if it's just the size of a quarter, Baarstad said.

Maintenance staff at the school are working to seal any holes, exterminators are getting rid of rodents already inside and cleaning crews also are working on the site, according to the district.

Baarstad hopes to be ready for inspection as early as Monday. With an OK from the county, the cafeteria could reopen by Tuesday.

The environmental health agency inspects about 4,000 food facilities throughout the county, including restaurants, markets, produce stands and more, said Elizabeth Huff, manager of the community services section of environmental health. School cafeterias are inspected two to three times a year to make sure they are in compliance.

Westlake High sent letters home with students on Wednesday to let them know about the closure.

"It's certainly not the letter you want to write home to parents," Baarstad said. But there were reasons why it happened, and the district is working to make sure all issues are cleared up, he said.

Source = vcstar.com

George Williams,
General Manager - Staff Entomologist

Pest Control, RI, Pest Control, MA