Roosevelt Island Squirrels Dining On Engine Wires Causing Damage To Vehicles And Costing Residents Money To Repair - Rats Are A Problem Too

 Image From FARK

For some, our local Roosevelt Island squirrels are cute neighbors

 Image From Danielle Samon

but for others the squirrels are becoming a big problem.

Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) President Jim Bates shares this message he sent to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) yesterday:

In the last 3 years squirrels have caused damage to my personal van and to the RIDA Bus. 3 times my personal van has had its engine harness wires eaten by squirrels causing over $5000.00 damage to my van.

I am asking RIOC to see what can be done to prevent this from occurring again. My van is in the repair shop now with $2300.00 in damages. The Van has been parked in 3 different locations when damages occurred - Main Street, River Rd and under the bridge.

I was told that is a regular occurrence with other vehicles parked on Roosevelt Island...

Mr. Bates adds:

RIDA Bus had wires to headlight eaten November 2014. Damage cost $392.00 to repair.

My van was damaged on 12/21/14 and is in the shop now needing a new wire harness costing $2300.00

Also,  I have been hearing complaints about big rats all over Roosevelt Island. According to this January 2 Roosevelt Island 311 See Click Fix report:

There are numerous rats here! Please fix this issues; t's very disturbing, especially at night....