Is the MTA Responsible For Our Littering? (No.)

Photo via www.one-story.com

Man, do New Yorkers love to blame the MTA for everything.

Recently, the Brooklyn Paper reported that, in an effort to keep Master Splinter and his rat friends at bay, the MTA removed trash cans from the 7th ave. and 9th Street F/G subway station. Following this Great Trash Can Exodus, straphangers are now reportedly hanging on to their trash as they exit the subway station, at which time they proceed to toss that shit on the sidewalk or street.

And who's at the center of blame for this? The MTA.

Via the BK Paper:

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Who Gives a Shit: Have you been seeing more rats around Park Slope lately?

Twice yesterday I saw two rats scurry across the sidewalk in front of me as I walked down 7th Street. This was strange, since I typically don't see any during the day (especially outside of the subway). Then I got this email from a FiPS reader, and it made me paranoid about a possible invasion of furry rodents: 

Can we talk about the over abundance of rats in our neighborhood these days? Now I'm no fool -- I know there are rats, but come on. WTF. The rat population has a least doubled since this time last year. I have been a resident on Douglass Street between 4th and 5th ave for 9 years now. Of course we see our share of rats, but I'm not kidding when I say I don't even want to leave my house after dark anymore. 

Anyone else notice an increase in rats in the neighborhood lately? Or do you have any horror stories about catching them inside your apartment?