Queens residents fined after reporting rat infestations: ‘You don’t punish people who call 311’ [Video]

QUEENS – Residents in one Queens neighborhood say that their complaints over a rat infestation aren’t being met with help, but instead, fines.

“You don’t punish the people who call 311, you work with them,” said City Council member Robert Holden. “That means you educate.”

Residents say that their vermin problems began last year, when a city tree’s roots created a hole in the sidewalk and provided an excellent path for rats to enter people’s yards from the city’s sewer system.

Dalia, a resident who has lived in her Maspeth home since 1958, called 311 to complain, and months later, the city put in a new sidewalk.

However, inspectors still fined her for having ratholes in her yard.

“I think they should be embarrassed by all this notoriety, and they should reimburse me. I think it’s only fair,” Dalia said.

Holden also agrees that Dalia deserves to get her money back.

“Ester was doing …