The New Orleans police are struggling to prevent some from consuming confiscated marijuana within their precinct, and the problem lies not with the officers but with rats that have invaded the building for years. Ann Kirkpatrick, the police chief in the city located in Louisiana, said, “The rats are eating the marijuana we have,” adding, “they all show signs of drug use.” Kirkpatrick made her comments during a city council meeting earlier this week, according to local media.
Rats and cockroaches have long infested the police department headquarters, which was originally built in 1968. Kirkpatrick stated in remarks reported by the "Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate," that “the issue is not limited to the police station only, but it affects all areas. The filth has exceeded all limits.” She added, “The cleaning crew deserves an award for their work that exceeds their capacity.”
The city has nearly 400,000 residents and is known for its vibrant nightlife, as well as its unique history as a former Spanish and French colony, which continues to influence local culture and food habits to this day. The New Orleans police have been trying to establish a new headquarters for years. One officer told the newspaper, “The situation is terrible.” He added, “To be honest, I don’t think the (city) has ever recovered from Hurricane Katrina,” referring to the catastrophic hurricane that severely damaged the city in 2005.
