Garbage on New York City streets hasn't gone anywhere. Plus, during COVID they suspended routine rat control operations. As a result, rats multiplied so much that the city hall was looking for an entire director of rodent control back in December 2022 (they took down the posting now, probably found someone, but the job description promised a salary range of $120-170 thousand a year).

It's surprising that one of the world's largest cities can't solve such a straightforward garbage disposal problem. If they put trash bags in containers instead of on the street, it would be harder for rats to get to them. And the rat population should naturally decrease. But this measure would noticeably reduce the number of parking spots. Apparently, the authorities aren't willing to do that. Maybe I should've sent them my resume?)