Bed bugs infest New Rochelle cell block, police cruisers

A bed bug infestation that started in the city cell block spread to three radio cars, with the most recent problem vehicle discovered yesterday.

Capt. Kevin Kealy said the issue first cropped up about three weeks ago, when some prisoners in the cell block complained of insect bites. There are no mattresses or cushioned surfaces, just a solid sleeping bench in the holding cells, he said, but bed bugs were discovered on the floor. The cell block was quarantined for three days of chemical applications to exterminate the bugs, Kealy said.

"That seemed to have worked," Kealy said.

But then bugs turned up in three radio cars from different tours, including a car used for a daytime tour of duty yesterday. The car was taken out of commission for 24 hours so it could be fumigated, he said.

Last week an officer on the midnight tour complained of being bitten, he said