Rats taking over Half-Way Tree court

Activities at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court in Half-Way Tree are expected to resume today following reports of a rat infestation.

According to Shannick Dawkins, senior public relations officer at the Court Administration Division, a pest control team was scheduled to visit the court on Saturday in a bid to address the rat situation.

"The court is expected to resume normal operations on Monday, April 4, 2022. Special cleaning of the court will also be done," Dawkins said. He also expressed hope that the team would be able to determine the cause of the problem. Court workers had told THE STAR that rats had reportedly invaded their offices. According to the staff, it was only a matter of time before the rats took over the filing cabinets, making it even more difficult to maintain a healthy work environment. The court staff shared that it has become a daily occurrence to see rat droppings on their desks, counters in the office as well as in the bathroom.

"It is uncomfortable, people run up and down when they see the rats. Persons don't really stay in the office because as they hear about rat, dem gone," one staff member told THE STAR.

FEARFUL

Employees shared that they have informed the Court Administration Department about the impending health issue but the matter has not been resolved. The workers said that they are fearful of contracting the bacterial disease leptospirosis, which is spread by rodents.

"Some of us in here have children to go home to, so nobody wants to come to work and you're afraid to leave your stuff on the tables. You can't even leave food in here; you can't buy your lunch and put it down because of the rat droppings," a worker said.