Rat infestations are a common problem in the city, but one resident is taking matters into his own hands.

Joseph Bolanos, president of the West 76th Street Block Association, installed rat-crossing signs in his neighborhood on the Upper West Side.

The move may be a bit tongue-in-cheek, but Bolanos thinks the signs may carry some weight and bring some attention to the problem plaguing his streets.

"Now it's gotten to the point where people walk at night, and you'll hear screams and shrieks because they get startled by the amount of rats that are running across the sidewalk," he said.

Money was recently set aside for trash cans with built-in compactors in the area. The hope is less trash will lead to fewer critters.

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