Rats Infesting New Orleans Police HQ Are 'All High' After Getting into Evidence Room and Eating Marijuana

New Orleans Police Department superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick shared details about the rodent infestation at a city council committee meeting

The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) headquarters is dealing with an unusual pest infestation, according to authorities.

Rats have infiltrated the evidence room of the headquarters and are "all high" off of the marijuana held there, NOPD superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick reported to the city council's Criminal Justice Committee on Monday.

"The rats are eating our marijuana," Kirkpatrick said, per USA Today. "They're all high."

The superintendent added that the NOPD headquarters has a rodent and cockroach infestation, leading to poor working conditions, including rodent feces on police desks and dangerous maintenance issues.

Related: Police in India Say Rats 'Destroyed' Marijuana Seized as Evidence for Drug Cases

"When we say we value our employees, you can't say that and, at the same time, allow people to work in conditions that are not acceptable," Kirkpatrick continued.

The superintendent added that people wishing to join the police force should avoid visiting the headquarters, as seeing these conditions would be a "huge turnoff."

Kirkpatrick's account came following an advocation for the police headquarters to temporarily relocate to a downtown high-rise building for the next ten years until a permanent space is found.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

After Kirkpatrick shared details about the infestations plaguing the police headquarters, city council members voted to approve a 10-year lease agreement for a move to a new building, costing $670,000 per month, CBS reported. According to Chief Administrative Officer Gilbert Montaño, per the outlet, the move costs less than it would to repair the current headquarters.

The poor conditions of the New Orleans police headquarters go as far back as 15 years, according to New Orleans TV station WDSU, per USA Today.

"It is not just at police headquarters. It is all the districts. The uncleanliness is off the charts," Kirkpatrick said on Monday, per Nola.com. "The janitorial cleaning (team) deserves an award for trying to clean what is uncleanable."

PEOPLE has reached out to the New Orleans police department headquarters for comment.

Related: Paris Is Dealing with a Massive Bed Bug Outbreak — and the Pests Have Even Infested Trains and Busses

Montaño described the headquarters' move as a "Herculean lift," telling Nola.com, "I foresee most of the criminal justice agencies will have to be temporarily housed as we address these old decrepit buildings."

Kirkpatrick added to WWL-TV, per CBS, "Where you work, where you live, if it is not appropriate, it is going to always impact morale, so that has been a big factor."

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.