By ROB HOELL wpix.com

8:04 p.m. EDT, September 20, 2010
GRAND ARMY PLAZA (WPIX)—
Have you seen the rats at Grand Army Plaza? If you look around you'll see them.

Monday afternoon PIX 11 News spotted one sitting a few feet away from a woman on a park bench with a baby on her lap.

When we pointed it out to Nora she packed up so fast she didn't have time to give us her last name.

"I'm freaking out," Nora said as she hurried away.

The complaints have been coming into 311 about what appears to be a rodent infestation, in and around a wooded area north of the fountains at Grand Army Plaza.

"They spread disease and they really shouldn't be around," said Mike Tiernan, eying one of the furry creatures.

Most are grossed out by the varmints, especially when they stroll out onto the sidewalk, while others take their presence in stride.

"Well that's the way New York is," said Cynthia Chatman. "What are you going to do. There are a lot of rats here!"

The Parks Department says this is a problem every September. When the weather gets cooler, rodents have to forage further food and leave the comfort of wooded areas.

The Parks Department says this rat tale at Grand Army Plaza is over. Poison has been placed in the area and the rodents are starting to die.