Today, Public Advocate Gotbaum, along with community members, ACORN, and residents of the South Bronx, called on the city to take immediate action to cleanup a stretch of abandoned railroad tracks inundated with trash and standing water (left).
Residential buildings overlook the tracks-turned-swamp, and community members fear potential health risks stemming from the filth, standing water, and overwhelming presence of rats and mosquitoes. The stretch of swamp is on Jackson Ave between E 143rd (also known as St. Mary's St) and 144th street, across from St. Mary's Park.
In the past 10 years, 28 Bronx residents have tested positive for a neuro-invasive disease due to West Nile Virus. As summer and mosquito season approach, Public Advocate Gotbaum is calling on the city to properly drain the area and do everything possible to protect nearby residents from potentially dangerous conditions.
Should the city clean up this swamp? Post your comment below.
Comments