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After crime-ridden homeless encampment cleared, rat problem revealed

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SEATTLE — After workers cleared out a large encampment in South Lake Union, which was notoriously known for its crime issues, KIRO 7 was told that a new problem with rats has been revealed.

People in the area of Mercer and Dexter sent KIRO 7 video showing numerous rats in the area, after the large encampment was swept and cleared on Wednesday and outreach workers offered shelter and support.

A resident said there have been waves of rats scattering out of the camp.

People were hoping the city would have a plan so that businesses and the surrounding area would not become infested.

In the past, KIRO 7 has shown video of rats after camps have been cleared, leaving the critters to burrow underground and scatter.

In parts of Northern California, rats have been tracked on infrared cameras by sheriff’s deputies after big encampments have been swept. That was done to determine the effectiveness of abatement teams or to see if rats were just moving to other areas.

People living near the South Lake Union encampment told KIRO 7 that they are grateful the camp is gone. They said it became a focal point of a lot of violence and theft, which included a 30-year-old man being run over and killed during a confrontation in July.


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