Stock photo of a rat.Photo:Getty Images
Getty Images
The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) headquarters is dealing with an unusual pest infestation, according to authorities.
Rats have infiltrated the evidence room of the headquarters and are “all high” off of the marijuana held there, NOPD superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick reported to the city council’sCriminal Justice Committee on Monday.
“The rats are eating our marijuana,” Kirkpatrick said,perUSA Today. “They’re all high.”
The superintendent added that the NOPD headquarters has a rodent and cockroach infestation, leading to poor working conditions, including rodent feces on police desks and dangerous maintenance issues.
New Orleans Police Department headquarters.Mario Tama/Getty Images
Mario Tama/Getty Images
“When we say we value our employees, you can’t say that and, at the same time, allow people to work in conditions that are not acceptable,” Kirkpatrick continued.
The superintendent added that people wishing to join the police force should avoid visiting the headquarters, as seeing these conditions would be a “huge turnoff.”
Kirkpatrick’s account came following an advocation for the police headquarters to temporarily relocate to a downtown high-rise building for the next ten years until a permanent space is found.
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A stock photo of a rat.Getty Images
After Kirkpatrick shared details about the infestations plaguing the police headquarters, city council members voted to approve a 10-year lease agreement for a move to a new building, costing $670,000 per month,CBSreported. According to Chief Administrative Officer Gilbert Montaño, per the outlet, the move costs less than it would to repair the current headquarters.
“It is not just at police headquarters. It is all the districts. The uncleanliness is off the charts,” Kirkpatrick said on Monday, perNola.com. “The janitorial cleaning (team) deserves an award for trying to clean what is uncleanable.”
PEOPLE has reached out to the New Orleans police department headquarters for comment.
Montaño described the headquarters' move as a “Herculean lift,” telling Nola.com, “I foresee most of the criminal justice agencies will have to be temporarily housed as we address these old decrepit buildings.”
source: people.com
