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State Senator Calls For 'Rat Summit 2' To Address NYC's Rodent 'Epidemic'

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- One local lawmaker is calling for action on New York City's rat problem, referring to the situation as an "epidemic."

State Sen. Bill Perkins co-sponsored the first "Rat Summit" in 2000 when he was a city councilman.

Now Perkins said it's time to convene "Rat Summit 2," stressing things are getting dangerous.

"Consider this an S.O.S -- an emergency summit to address the alarming presence and sighting of rodents, especially in the wake of the storm," he told reporters, including 1010 WINS' Stan Brooks.

State Senator Calls For 'Rat Summit 2' To Address NYC's Rodent 'Epidemic'

That storm Perkins referred to is Superstorm Sandy, which he said has exacerbated the issue.

"The epidemic that we have experienced then and frankly beginning to see again -- in perhaps more visible ways -- alarms us," Perkins said Friday.

Straphangers seem to agree it's a problem, especially in the city's subway system.

"It's from people eating in train stations, actually, I have food right now. So I'm kinda like adding to the problem," one woman said.

"It's terrible. I mean, it's to the point I feel sometimes that I will get bitten," said another woman.

Perkins is hoping to do something about rats and had a message for the rodents.

"They're tenacious in their ability to be destructive and we just want them know that as always they're unwelcome," he said.

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