DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officer Highlights |
ECO Actions for Mid-AprilNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) enforce the 71 Chapters of NY Environmental Conservation Law, protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York. In 2017, the 301 ECOs across the state responded to 26,400 calls and issued 22,150 tickets for crimes ranging from deer poaching to corporate toxic dumping and illegal mining, the black market pet trade, and excessive emissions violations. “From Montauk Point to Mount Marcy, from Brooklyn to Buffalo, the ECOs patrolling our state are the first line of defense in protecting New York’s environment and our natural resources, ensuring that they exist for future generations of New Yorkers,” said Commissioner Basil Seggos. “They work long and arduous hours, both deep in our remote wildernesses and in the tight confines of our urban landscapes. Although they don’t receive much public fanfare, the work of our ECOs is critical to achieving DEC’s mission to protect and enhance our environment.” Recent missions carried out by ECOs include: Injured Eagle Sparks Criminal Investigation – Sullivan County
Pesticide Enforcement for Earth Day – Westchester County On April 18, ECOs Craig Tompkins and Charles Eyler performed pesticide compliance checks in the southern portion of Westchester County as part of a larger DEC effort recognizing Earth Day. The ECOs patrolled areas of Scarsdale, North White Plains, Hartsdale, Mt. Vernon, Bronxville, and Eastchester, checking commercial applicators for required registration and applicator’s licenses, labeling of pesticide containers, and other requirements to operate a pesticide business commercially. The officers spoke with 17 businesses over the course of the day, issuing five tickets for labeling and decal display violations, and six verbal warnings for various minor offenses.
The Evidence Tells the Story — Suffolk County On April 20, ECO Tim Fay responded to a call reporting a dead deer discovered in a Hampton Bays backyard. ECO Fay found an entrance hole through the deer’s rib cage that indicated a small caliber bullet and evidence revealed the deer had been killed within four hours. The officer contacted ECO Christopher DeRose and K-9 Cramer for assistance. The ECOs located a .22 caliber bullet inside the deer. The officers visited the neighboring property to question the owner, who denied the shooting. During the interview, ECO Fay was invited inside the house where he found a dead gray squirrel and a crow. The owner admitted the animals were shot off the bird feeder with a pellet gun from the window. Meanwhile, ECO DeRose worked with K-9 Cramer outside of the house and found a fresh .22 caliber casing under a bedroom window. The officers presented the owner with the evidence obtained and the man admitted to the crime. The ECOs explained the dangers of discharging a firearm in close proximity to other homes. The 81-year-old man was issued tickets returnable to Southampton Town Court, charged with taking deer out of season, using a rifle on Long Island, discharging within 500 feet of a house, and taking the squirrel and crow out of season.
Successful Youth Turkey Hunt – Greene County During the April 21 and 22 youth weekend of the spring turkey hunting season, ECOs assisted with the Greene County Youth Turkey Hunt sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation and Norton Hill Fish & Game Club. Approximately a dozen young turkey hunters participated in the morning’s hunt and were treated to a barbecue lunch. Five youngsters managed to harvest a turkey, including one mentored by ECOs Vern Bauer and Anthony Glorioso. The young hunter took his first-ever bird, a mature tom, at sunrise on the first morning of the two-day youth turkey season.
No (Shark Fin) Soup for You – New York County
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