Environmental Conservation Police on Patrol

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement enforces the 71 chapters of New York State’s Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York. In 1880, the first eight Game Protectors proudly began serving to protect the natural resources and people of New York State. In 2023, the Division of Law Enforcement fielded more than 101,500 calls, resulting in Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators across the state responding to more than 30,932 complaints and working on cases that resulted in nearly 16,900 tickets or arrests for violations ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the illegal pet trade, and excessive emissions violations.      

 “Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Investigators serving in DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement are working tirelessly across the state to protect natural resources and public safety while holding poachers and polluters accountable,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “DEC looks forward to continuing to work with our local, State, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure compliance with New York’s stringent environmental conservation laws and promote the safe and responsible enjoyment of the outdoors.”    

General Assembly Security – New York City
ECOs recently provided security during the 79^th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Global leaders met at New York City headquarters from Sept. 10 – 28 to discuss complex crises and conflicts around the world.

ECOs were assigned to maritime security in partnership with the U.S. Secret Service and Coast Guard to enforce a temporary no-fly zone for unmanned aerial systems, or drones, around the East River. The Officers also provided security at local airports for helicopters transporting dignitaries in the New York City area.

These types of security assignments are not traditional ECO duties. However, ECO involvement in homeland security has increased in recent years since DEC Officers possess unique equipment and training that bolsters security efforts by federal authorities and strengthens federal, State, and local partnerships overall.

DEC Division of Law Enforcement provides maritime security during 79^th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City

Law Enforcement ground team interviews a drone operator who violated a no-fly zone near the East River during the United Nations General Assembly in New York City

Road Hunt – Sullivan County
On Sept. 20, ECOs from Orange and Sullivan counties responded to reports from constables in the town of Bethel regarding hunters with loaded firearms in a motor vehicle. Officers arrived at the location and discovered the constables had already detained three subjects. ECOs observed four loaded firearms in the trio’s pickup truck and a Bethel constable found the hunters in possession of one dead grey squirrel. The passenger in the vehicle admitted to shooting the squirrel from inside the vehicle while on the public roadway. ECOs ticketed that individual for possession of a loaded firearm in a loaded vehicle, shooting on/across a public highway, taking wildlife from a motor vehicle, and illegally taking wildlife. His accomplices received tickets for possession of loaded firearms in a motor vehicle and illegally taking wildlife. All tickets were returnable to Bethel Town Court.  

Early Goose Season – Northern Franklin County
On Sept. 21, ECO Okonuk conducted migratory waterfowl hunting checks in the town of Bombay. The Officer checked five hunters and corrected a few minor issues. Additionally, one hunter stated he left his license and duck stamp at home and did not possess his Harvest Information Program number. ECO Okonuk provided additional education and issued that hunter a ticket for failing to possess a Harvest Information Program number. The young hunters had a successful morning hunt overall, harvesting 54 geese. The hunters also requested a picture with their local “Game Warden” and ECO Okonuk was happy to oblige.

ECO Okonuk poses with goose hunters after compliance check in Franklin County

Illegal Dumping – Suffolk County
On Sept. 24, ECO Day responded to reports of two subjects unlawfully disposing of several pickup truck loads of carpet at an apartment complex in Rocky Point without permission. The apartment supervisor provided videos and photos of the subjects in the act, including their vehicle and license plate information. Officer Day located both subjects at the truck owner’s local business. The owner admitted to illegally dumping the carpets in dumpsters at the apartment complex, stating he was trying to clean out his warehouse on a Sunday when the dump was closed. ECO Day issued the subject an administrative ticket as part of an Order on Consent, which requires the subject to pay to empty the dumpster and an additional penalty of $750. 

Security footage captures illegal dumping of carpets at apartment complex in Rocky Point

Illegally dumped carpets discovered in dumpster at apartment complex in Rocky Point

Not Permitted – Allegany County 
On Sept. 27, ECOs arrested an Allegany County man in connection with an illegal waste management facility in the town of Genesee. ECO Calanni first received reports about large piles of solid waste at the unpermitted facility on June 25. The Officer attempted to speak to the owner who immediately became agitated and unresponsive. On July 18, ECO Calanni, Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigator Piwko, and employees from DEC’s Division of Materials Management executed a search warrant on the property and documented the piles of solid waste. ECO Calanni reached out to the subject again and the individual became confrontational, even sending obscene material to the Officers’ cell phone, before allegedly burning and burying the solid waste piles on the Genesee property. On Sept. 19, DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement, Materials Management, and New York State Police executed a second search warrant on the property with assistance from DEC Operations employees who utilized an excavator. The second search warrant uncovered partially burned solid waste and construction and demolition debris buried throughout the property. The subject is charged with 194 misdemeanors including 64 counts of operating a solid waste management facility without a permit, 64 counts of illegally disposing waste, 64 counts of constructing or operating a facility in violation of the New York Environmental Conservation Law, one count of unlawfully burning material in an open fire, and one count of obscenity in the third degree for the obscene photo sent to ECO Calanni’s phone. The defendant is due in Genesee Town Court on Oct. 17. The case is being prosecuted by the Allegany County Assistant District Attorney.

Lt. Ward investigates illegal solid waste pile discovered in town of Genesee

Illegal solid waste pile burns in town of Genesee

Injured Eagle – Orange County
On Sept. 28, ECO Boyes received a report of an injured bald eagle having difficulty flying on a property in Middletown. Officer Boyes responded and safely captured the bird with assistance from bystanders. The ECO then transported the eagle to a nearby animal hospital where it was picked up by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator who specializes in rehabilitating birds of prey. 

Injured bald eagle recovered in Middletown

Hunting Over Bait – Suffolk County
On Oct. 1, opening day of the big game archery season in Suffolk County, ECOs Perkins and Day patrolled hunting areas known for baiting in the village of Manorville and discovered an individual hunting from a tree stand over bait. The subject claimed he hadn’t seen any deer in the area and put the corn out hoping to see some wildlife on his trail camera. The Officers seized the subject’s bow and trail camera as evidence and ticketed him with hunting deer over bait and failing to sign his hunting license as required in New York State. Tickets are returnable to Suffolk County District Court.

In Smithtown on that same day, ECO DeRose observed a hunter anxiously waiting for a deer to come feed on his unlawfully placed mineral blocks and corn. The subject claimed it was his first time baiting despite the same tree stand being observed baiting the prior year. ECO DeRose ticketed the subject for hunting with the aid of bait and placing salt for non-agricultural purposes.

Illegal bait pile discovered in Smithtown

Statewide Fishing Compliance Checks – Kings/Queens/Suffolk Counties
Invasive species discovered during a traffic stop and taking tautog too early are some of the cases handled by ECOs in this week’s fishing compliance checks: 
 

• On Sept. 15, a New York City Police Officer from Brooklyn contacted ECO Rappold after arresting the operator of a motor vehicle stopped for running a red light. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 29 mitten crabs. Mitten crabs are an invasive species prohibited in New York State. It is illegal to possess, sell, purchase, transport, or import the crabs. ECOs Broughton and Rappold arrived at the precinct, interviewed the alleged crab smuggler, and issued a ticket. The crabs were seized and destroyed. The defendant was arrested by the New York City Police Department on unrelated charges. For more information about mitten crabs and their impact on New York’s environment, visit the DEC website.  

• On Sept. 18, ECOs Clinger, Farner, and Rappold conducted marine fishing checks in Jamaica Bay, Queens. The Officers found multiple violations during their patrol including individuals in possession of tautog (blackfish) during the closed season, undersized seabass, and over the daily limit of seabass. ECOs issued several tickets and educated the anglers about New York’s recreational marine fishing regulations.  

• On Sept. 23, ECO DeRose received a complaint about individuals keeping tautog at the Smith’s Point Jetty in Suffolk County prior to the Oct. 15 season opener. As Officer DeRose responded, he received a second phone call reporting that the subjects had packed up and were leaving the jetty. The witness provided a description of the individuals and their vehicle. ECOs DeRose and Simmons arrived at the beach entrance and waited. The vehicle passed by a short time later and the Officers interviewed its occupants, asking to see the fish they had caught. The driver attempted to steer the Officers’ attention to the back seat instead of a cooler in the rear cargo compartment. The ECOs inspected the cooler and discovered 17 out-of-season tautog. They seized the fish and ticketed both the driver and passenger for possessing tautog out of season. Each ticket carries a potential fine of up to $850. The passenger received an additional ticket for not having a valid marine registry and the driver picked up another citation from Suffolk County Park Rangers for not having the required 4x4 equipment. The tickets are returnable to Suffolk County First District Court.  

Illegal mitten crabs discovered during traffic stop in Queens

ECOs Farner (left) and Rappold (right) conduct marine fishing compliance checks in Jamaica Bay

Seized tautog caught out of season in Suffolk County

Youth Hunts – Niagara/Genesee/Jefferson/Greene Counties
ECOs recently participated in multiple youth hunts designed to educate young hunters about New York’s hunting regulations, guidelines, and safeguards before heading afield:

• On Sept. 28, ECOs in DEC Regions 8 and 9 participated in a youth waterfowl hunt at the Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area in Niagara and Genesee counties. ECOs Godson, Fuerch, Muchow, and Powers, along with Investigators Holzle and Piwko and Lieutenants Bobseine and N. Ver Hague guided the youth hunters during the event, with assistance from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Officer Wolabaugh. The New York Conservation Officers Association (NYCOA) donated hats, gloves, face masks, and head lamps for the hunt; numerous waterfowl were harvested. The youth hunters were able to use identification techniques learned at a waterfowl identification course on Sept. 21 at the Hartland Conservation Club to determine which waterfowl species were flying that morning. The course was conducted by Investigator Holzle, ECO Powers, and Lieutenant Ver Hague. All youth hunters are required to take New York’s Hunter Education Course, obtain a valid hunting license, and attend an additional safety training course before participating in a youth hunt. 

• On Sept. 28 and 29, ECOs from Jefferson County took 14 youth hunters afield as part of the 15^th Annual Jefferson County Youth Waterfowl and Pheasant Hunt hosted by the Sackets Harbor Sportsman’s Club with assistance from the NYCOA, National Wild Turkey Federation, and local volunteer dog handlers. The weekend hunts were preceded by training held earlier in the week at the Sackets Harbor Sportsman’s Club, with ECOs educating the young hunters about regulations for hunting waterfowl and pheasant, different hunting strategies involved for both types of birds, the use of decoys and dogs, calls and calling, waterfowl identification, and a marksmanship course on the range. Both hunts produced successful harvests and concluded with a pizza lunch. 

• On Sept. 28, ECO Palmateer and Lieutenant Glorioso participated in a youth pheasant organized and funded by the Greene County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs in partnership with the NYCOA. The Officers, club member and retired ECO Captain Larry DiDonato, and several mentors and volunteers assisted nearly 20 youth hunters as they headed afield with tracking dogs. Many of the young hunters had successful harvests that day and credited the additional training and support from mentors and guides for their accomplishments. ECO Palmateer recalled his father taking him to similar youth hunts as a child, which led to him becoming a lifetime hunter and pursuing a career as an ECO. He went on to say that outreach events like youth hunts are just as much a part of the job as enforcement. View a video of the Greene County pheasant hunt.  Additional photos from the hunt can also be viewed. 

Youth hunters, ECOs, and guides attend youth waterfowl hunt at Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area

Youth hunters with prizes donated by NYCOA during youth waterfowl hunt in Niagara and Genesee counties

14^TH Annual Jefferson County Youth Waterfowl and Pheasant Hunt

Youth hunters, ECOs, and volunteer guides attend 15^th Annual Waterfowl and Pheasant Hunt in Jefferson County

Youth hunters afield during annual waterfowl and pheasant hunt in Jefferson County

Youth hunters participate in youth pheasant hunt in Greene County

Fallen Firefighters Honored – Albany County
On Oct. 8, DEC Division of Law Enforcement Director Przyklek and Division of Forest Protection Acting Director Cavanagh attended the annual New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial service at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. They were in attendance with family members and firefighters from across the state who came to honor the 32 members of the firefighting community who gave their lives in the line of duty. Those who paid the ultimate sacrifice join the 2,660 brave souls memorialized.

DEC Division of Law Enforcement Director Przyklek and Division of Forest Protection Acting Director Cavanagh honor fallen firefighters at Firefighter Memorial Service in Albany

To contact an ECO to report an environmental crime or to report an incident, call 1-844-DEC-ECOS for 24-hour dispatch or email (for non-urgent violations).