DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officer Highlights |
ECO Actions for Early JanuaryNew 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: Lead Acid Batteries on the Ground – Orange County On Jan. 5, ECOs Melissa Burgess and Corey Hornicek traveled to the town of Monroe in Orange County to perform checks of auto repair shops. ECOs were on the lookout for violations such as uncovered lead acid batteries or batteries left on the ground, unregistered or unlabeled waste oil tanks, and improper posting of signs concerning the acceptance of waste oil or lead acid batteries for recycling. During one check, the ECOs observed a number of batteries left exposed to the weather, as well as several additional batteries in standing water in the garage. The officers explained the violation to the owner of the business and the necessary corrective measures. A ticket was issued for improper storage of lead acid batteries, returnable to the Village of Monroe Court.
Coyote Hunters Caught with Loaded Guns – Dutchess County On Jan. 6, while on patrol in Dutchess County, ECO Robert Hodor observed a pickup truck parked in the Lafayetteville Multiple Use Area parking lot. ECO Hodor went up the road to turn around but by the time he returned to the parking lot, the truck was gone, leaving fresh tire tracks in the snow through a field. ECO Hodor waited and the truck returned to the parking lot. ECO Hodor stopped the truck and found two individuals inside who said that they were scouting for coyotes and planned on hunting for them that night. Officer Hodor asked to see the subjects’ guns. The driver replied that they were in the back seat and that each rifle was loaded with a bullet in the chamber. The passenger said it was his first time hunting and that he thought, incorrectly, it was acceptable to have a round chambered. Both subjects were issued a ticket for having a loaded gun in a motor vehicle, returnable to the Town of Milan Court. Shellfish Seized – Kings County On Jan. 7, ECOs Zachary Kochanowski and Connor Dodge conducted several shellfish market checks in Kings County. The ECOs observed multiple violations during these inspections and issued tickets, including two for possession of untagged shellfish, one for failing to possess a valid shellfish water storage permit, and one for removing or defacing a tag or label, all returnable to Kings County Court. In total, 130 clams and 93 mussels were seized, photographed as evidence, and disposed of as they could not be verified as suitable for human consumption.
Blood in the Snow – Warren County
Investigating Cause of Death of a Moose – Franklin County
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