Rats, mold and leaks found at Portsmouth, NH Police Department

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — John Monahan has the full story, live on Boston 25 News

Portsmouth, New Hampshire's police department has some extra problems to deal with, as rats, mold and leaks have found their way into their headquarters.

Housed in a former hospital built in 1962, the building now has its own health concerns.

Between leaks around vending machines, ceiling tiles that are warped and blackened by mold, and rodents on the move, the department isn't the best working environment.

"We were dealing with them cleaning up rats caught on the traps just a couple of days ago," Sergeant Kuffer Kaltenborn said. "They certainly come out and beg for food like a stray animal. They have no fear of us whatsoever."

Kaltenborn said the rats run across the ceiling tiles.

"It's your Storrow Drive of rat activity coming through here," Kaltenborn said.

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Prisoners are taken to the county jail when possible so their health isn't put at risk, but that leaves officers inside and exposed.

"Long term exposure to mold or any of these factors is not conducive to anyone's health," Kaltenborn said.

Cox Media Group