Chicago officials say a growing pigeon-and-rat problem in Lincoln Park stems from 94-year-old electronics billionaire Barre Seid, who hired people to distribute nuts and seeds near his home and around the park, worsening conditions in the neighborhood.
Here’s what to know
According to Gizmodo, a city document says officials in Chicago’s 43rd Ward have classified the activity as a “public health hazard.” In their account, Seid’s workers have been leaving “nuts, seeds and other foods” around his residence and across nearby Lincoln Park for three years.
City officials say the feeding first drew large groups of pigeons, and that the accumulating droppings then contributed to “a significant rat infestation.” In a tightly packed area, a dependable food supply can spill over into sidewalks, alleys, and green spaces.
…