A pigeon hangs out in Oak Park. The birds are leaving a lot of feces behind. (CBS)
Reporting Marissa Bailey
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OAK PARK, Ill. (CBS) — It’s one of those silly words that can make you giggle: poo.
But it’s no laughing matter in one western suburb.
CBS 2’s Marissa Bailey reports on Public Enemy No. 1 when it comes to putting an end to number two.
From a distance, the Oak Park Metra stop looks pretty clean. But close up: there are pigeons and more pigeons. And where there is pigeons, there is … you know.
Just ask resident Paul Beckwith, who has gotten hit. But more than anything, the appearance bothers him.
“I don’t like the looks,” he says.
Neither did village leaders, who have put up screens to keep out the birds. But even that hasn’t worked.
The birds don’t necessarily lay eggs here, but they do come here to sort of hang out. And then they leave some stuff behind.
It’s gotten so bad village trustees proposed a measure Monday night that would allow for the pigeons to be humanely euthanized.
Omar Bates, who works in Oak Park, said killing the birds is excessive.
“It is annoying, but it’s part of life. I mean I don’t agree with the euthanizing, he says.
The village has spent more than $11,000 this year alone trying to keep the birds away. The measure is scheduled to go up for a final vote June 4.
