The municipal measure is being implemented after neighborhood complaints about the situation around a closed kiosk in the square, although the rodent problem seems to extend beyond that point. During a brief visit to the location, five to six rats were observed moving with apparent tranquility among the vegetation and pathways in broad daylight.
Local residents describe the situation as alarming, comparing the number of animals to "cats" and noting that it is not an isolated incident. Some testimonies even recount seeing rats attempting to attack pigeons, possibly in search of food.
While the initial complaints focused on the closed kiosk, the presence of rodents has been reported in other areas of the city center, such as Calle Castillo, a major commercial street. The placement of poison confirms the municipal intervention in response to the citizen alert, but residents question whether it will be a one-time measure or part of a broader plan to eradicate the problem.
On one of the fences bordering the access to the closed kiosk, the City Council has installed a sign warning of poison application and recommending caution, especially for dog owners to keep their pets leashed. However, the notice is not very visible given the size of the enclosure and urban furniture, despite it being an area frequented by people with pets.
Residents hope that this intervention will not only be a late response to their complaints but also the beginning of an effective solution to control and eradicate the presence of rats in one of the most emblematic squares in the center of Santa Cruz.
