Dead Racoon Update

So, for months we have been trying to find out the results of the tests on the dead raccoon, the one that was found in the Nethermead on the day of the Dow Run for Water. Ber has been e-mailing various people in the parks dept nearly every day. Today, finally, he got an answer:


Dear Mr. Cummins:

Thank you for your email regarding a raccoon in Prospect Park. I apologize for the delay in responding.

Parks & Recreation has been working with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to test the remains of raccoons that are discovered on parkland in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Unfortunately, the maintenance staff on duty that day was not aware of this and disposed of the raccoon before its remains were tested. We have reminded all of our staff about the city’s policy on testing deceased raccoons in these boroughs.

Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention.


Sincerely,

Maura Hegarty
NYC Department of Parks & Recreation
First Deputy Commissioner’s Office
The Arsenal
830 Fifth Avenue

Yes, of course we have a policy to ensure the health and safety of all visitors to the park, to ensure that they are not exposed to toxins and diseases that might be infecting the wildlife. WE JUST DON'T BOTHER TO TELL THE ACTUAL PARK WORKERS ABOUT IT!!! Can they really be this incompetent? Or is this just the nature of bureaucracy? Perhaps the definition of bureaucracy is "an organization large enough to ensure that no one knows what anyone else is doing, and small enough to keep that fact a secret.