By Al Edwards, Financial EditorTHE UNCONTROLLED rat population in New Kingston is proving hazardous to many fast food operators, particularly those on Knutsford Boulevard.
The Roy D'Cambre controlled Church's Chicken and Kenny Rogers Roasters outlet closed its doors to the public on Monday due to the rats plague.
"We have tried everything to get rid of the rats and we just cannot do it, so we are shutting down the restaurant," Mr. D'Cambre told Wednesday Business yesterday. "Over the last six months we have paid in excess of $1 million to fight this plague but the rats just eat through everything, even concrete."
A number of other operators have discussed the problem with the former manager of Knutsford Boulevard's Wendy's, Sandra Sachs. Three years ago they said the fight against the rats was practically futile as they overran waste disposal units, cut a swathe through hamburger buns and found their way into kitchen areas.
RATS GETTING BIGGER
"These rats are getting bigger and bolder year by year and their breeding goes unchecked," one operator told Wednesday Business on condition of anonyminity yesterday. "Heaven forbid, some day a patron contracts a virulent disease from these rats. I have tried everything to keep them out I have enlisted the help of the Ministry of Health's, Health and Safety unit and the KSAC, but to no avail. These rats are eating away my business and the Government needs to do something fast before the whole of the Boulevard is condemned."
There are a number of fast food outlets on the Knutsford Boulevard, including Jamrock, Wendy's, Burger King, Bullseye, Up On The Roof, Pizza Hut and Tastee all popular eateries where parents take their children.
"Of more concern is the likelihood that these rats are carrying leptospirosis," one prominent Kingston doctor told Wednesday Business, also on condition of anonymity. Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria and can be fatal. It is carried by rats and mice, which do not get sick, but tranports the disease in their urine.
"If these rats are urinating over food and people eat it then we will have a serious health problem in Kingston," the doctor said. "Leptospirosis causes liver and kidney damage with fever and jaundice setting in. I think the Health and Safety unit should get right on this now."
Roy D'Cambre added: "I want to make it clear that it is not the health authorities that shut us down. We took this decision ourselves in light of the number of rats that have infiltrated our building. We don't want our business having a reputation as a place where you eat in the company of rats that's bad for business."
UNCONTROLLABLE PROBLEM
The problem in New Kingston appears to be uncontrollable, Mr. D'Cambre said. "We will relocate to Washington Boulevard and hopefully open two more Church's in Kingston later this year. We closed down our Knutsford Boulevard shop with the approval of head office in the United States.
"Plans to make Knutsford Boulevard more tourist friendly cannot take place until the rat problem is dealt with and the sewerage system is improved, Mr. D'Cambre said. "Another thing ever since the Vagrancy Act was repealed, we have 'two footed' rats running wild in New Kingston. You can't seriously talk about tourism and service if your product is not up to scratch."
