Neighbors in Prospect Heights say they have a rat problem, and they blame trash that builds up on the street.

Full trash bins, garbage on the ground and piles of trash bags are tossed on the city streets, they say. The problematic area, residents say, is along St. John's Place and Lincoln Place near Washington Avenue.

The rodents surface at night. Neighbors say the Department of Sanitation isn't doing its part.

Carol Morrison says wire trash cans make it easy for rats to dine, but she also believes the Department of Sanitation needs to visit the street more frequently.

"They never go down our street to sweep the streets, and that would be unacceptable if this were Brooklyn Heights. Unacceptable," she said. "But we are a poorer community and we are not getting services that we should be getting."

Perhaps even worse, neighbors say the problem is extending into buildings.

The Department of Sanitation says residents need to use corner baskets properly, not for household or business trash. All property owners have a responsibility by law to keep sidewalks and gutter areas clean extending 18-inches into the street.

The Department of Health says they are closely monitoring complaints, as well as performing inspections and exterminations at some of these buildings.