As nighttime descends on Brighton, residents are compelled to retreat indoors, leaving the backyard to the wily creatures that have become all too common in the area: rats.
This sentiment was shared by local resident Sudarska, who highlighted the pervasive rat problem in Allston-Brighton, an area affectionately (and sometimes frustratingly) dubbed ‘Rat City’ by its inhabitants.
Aiming to shine a light on this escalating issue, the Rat City Arts Festival recently organized a unique event—the Rat Walk. This communal gathering takes place twice a year, once in August and again in October, to bring attention to the rodent problem that has plagued the neighborhood for years.
In recent times, reports of rat sightings have surged across Allston-Brighton and beyond. In response, the city launched the Boston Rodent Action Plan last year, outlining comprehensive strategies to tackle rodent infestation. Additionally, Boston is now considering the implementation of a ‘rat czar,’ inspired by a similar initiative in New York City, which grapples with its own rodent challenges.
One of the organizers of the Rat Walk, Ricky Meinke, pointed out that the event captures the essence of the area’s rebellious spirit.
“It fits our punk, anti-establishment, against-the-grain reputation,” he remarked about the event, which has also embraced the slogan, ‘Keep Allston weird.’
The Rat Walk attracted a vibrant crowd, with participants donned in safari-themed outfits and wielding oversized nets as they took on the roles of ‘rat rangers.’ Each ranger was asked what it takes to be part of the team. “You need to be courageous, knowledgeable, brave,” said Alex Hartgrove, emphasizing the unique nature of their mission.
As the assembly gathered in a parking lot adjacent to a local liquor store at 8 p.m., curious onlookers couldn’t help but react to the unusual scene. “There’s a city rat walk? Are you serious?” exclaimed one passerby, highlighting the quirky nature of the event.
Once the walk commenced, shouts of excitement echoed through the group. One participant urged others to look towards a bush, hoping for a glimpse of a rat. Later, a graffiti-marked dumpster behind apartment buildings yielded more successful sightings—rats scurrying to and fro.
Isa Contessi, a 25-year-old from Brighton, recounted an exhilarating moment when a rat startled the group. “It came out of nowhere and then disappeared into nowhere,” she said, likening the gritty atmosphere of Brighton to that of the rats: “The punkness of the rats is the punkness of the people.”
Rob Glynn, who traveled from Quincy to join the Rat Walk, carried his skateboard with him. Known for its skate spots, Allston regularly presents Glynn with rat sightings. He showed off his bright yellow T-shirt featuring a cartoon rat and the playful slogan, “Rats off to ya!”
Glynn smiled while acknowledging the rat presence, stating, “It’s definitely Rat City for a reason. It’s a way of life out here.”
Between sightings, volunteers labeled ‘rat rangers’ and representatives from the Boston Inspectional Services Department shared crucial information about combating the rat population. They emphasized the importance of timely trash disposal and reducing the duration trash bags spend on the curb.
John Ulrich, assistant commissioner of environmental services, underscored sanitation as the most effective mitigation strategy. “It’s all trash. If there’s no food, there’ll be no rats,” Ulrich declared. He also reminded pet owners to clean up after their dogs, as rats can thrive on pet waste. “It’s like their cake,” added one official, noting the important role of cleanliness in controlling rat populations.
The Boston Rodent Action Plan serves as a blueprint for reducing rat infestations, incorporating recommendations on effective trash handling. Simultaneously, the Boston City Council is moving forward with legislation to establish rat-resistant trash cans and create an office dedicated to addressing the ongoing rodent problem.
The implications of the rat issue extend beyond mere annoyance; they pose significant health risks to the community. Recent research conducted by Tufts University found that a majority of Boston’s rat population carries leptospirosis, a potentially deadly disease. Symptoms in humans can range from minor gastrointestinal discomfort to severe multiorgan failure.
Frustration directed towards absentee landlords and inadequate management has long been a reality for Allston-Brighton residents, who assert that significant changes are necessary to tackle their rodent problem. Meinke highlighted that when he moved to Allston in 2016, he discovered unwanted roommates in his walls—rats that he struggled to have dealt with by his landlord.
“Our neighborhood has seen such an increase in absentee landlords,” Meinke asserted. “Tenants can’t do everything to solve the rat problem.”
On a more positive note, the ‘Rat City’ moniker has fostered a sense of community among residents, who often share humorous ‘war stories’ about encounters with the rats. Meinke believes the name stems from the area’s vibrant musical heritage, referencing the celebrated origins of famous band Aerosmith.
Despite the challenges they face, residents refuse to let the rat problem define them. “We live with the rats. We just deal with it, because we’re working two jobs. We’re getting to the gig,” Meinke said.
The Rat City Arts Festival continues to champion the neighborhood’s artistic culture. The week culminated in a lively music festival featuring 16 local artists at the Charles River Speedway.
“Despite all the challenges that we, as neighbors, face, we’re going to overcome them. We’re still going to be our authentic selves, find joy in our neighborhood,” Meinke concluded.
image source from：bostonglobe
