Schedule has bugs . .
. . On the run
Good News: Exterminators in the Bronx are being utilized in an efficient manner!
Bad News: Bugs have been sighted outside of the Bronx!
Due to Spotty's lack of sufficient gray matter, the faxed issue had pointed to Mr. Lucido as being the Administrator to Manhattan. He is the Administrator of the Bronx. We apologize for the error, and it has been corrected in this Web issue.
We're told that there is a plan that seems to work in NYCHA's unequal battle between too few exterminators and too many insects and other vermin.
The Administrator in the Bronx, Mr. Lucido, has worked out a schedule that attempts to address most of the problems plaguing Brooklyn and other areas. It even takes into account NYCHA's tenant's health, as it provides for any spraying of toxic chemicals to occur when places like Community Centers are going to remain unoccupied for a safe period post-spraying. And Community Center Directors are given the dates well in advance, so events can be planned without worrying about having someone spray the room a few minutes prior to the arrival of participants.
Weekend and/or off-hour work IS part of this schedule, as it must be if NYCHA wants to avoid having children or the elderly entering Centers during the spraying or while the fumes are still prevalent from the exterminator's visit.
We're further informed that there are "spare" exterminators withheld from scheduled duties. That allows for the replacing of sick or vacationing exterminators, ensuring that the schedule isn't scrapped the first time someone gets called to jury duty.
These "spare" people are utilized on a daily basis to help other exterminators, to treat hot spots and to quickly respond to any unforeseen emergencies.
Overtime is another tool Mr. Lucido uses, but only when there's no way around it.
To enforce this policy, Mr. Lucido has informed the Supervisors under him that if appointments are missed, there better be a good reason. If not, the Supervisor will be the one written up.
According to one Bronx Superintendent, the system is working. Tickets are written at the project, and response time is satisfactory.
So, if you're a Super in Brooklyn, and you've been told to stop writing tickets for extermination, ask "Why?" Unless the outer-borough insects are fundamentally different from those in the Bronx, there is a proven way to address the problem. It requires an Administrator willing to spend some time setting up a schedule that allows him to make the best use of his assets (exterminators), while keeping in mind that we're trying to kill bugs, not kids or tenants!
© MM Public Housing Spotlight and John Ballinger. All rights reserved.
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