Release date: October 13, 2023 (Friday)
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Law Enforcement Division enforces Chapter 71 of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) to protect fish and wildlife and maintain environmental quality throughout New York. In 1880, the first eight Game Protectors proudly began protecting New York State’s natural resources and people. In 2022, Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) and investigators across the state responded to more than 25,600 calls and arrested 13,800 incidents ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping to illegal mining to illegal pets. Worked on cases that resulted in nearby tickets and arrests. Trade and Excessive Emissions Violations.
“DEC conservation police officers and investigators work hard every day to serve our communities, protect our precious natural resources, and protect public health. Those who did this will definitely be held accountable.” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “DEC looks forward to working with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to continue supporting the work our ECOs do in every corner of New York.”
Fish Compliance Check – Queens/Oswego/New York County
After-hours fishing and illegal fish sales topped this week’s statewide fishing compliance inspection.
- On September 21, conservationists Goonan and Swart received a tip reporting an individual selling striped buses on a sidewalk in Flushing, Queens. ECOs responded to the scene under an overpass and found a makeshift stand selling untagged striped bass. Officers seized nine fish and issued a summons to New York City for attempted sale.
- On September 22, Eco-Grogan received a call around 2:30 a.m. about a large group at Black Hole, a popular fishing spot along the Salmon River in the town of Richland, Oswego County. Night fishing is prohibited on the Salmon River. After calling for help from Officers Brown and Zullo, the Grogan Echo arrived on the scene and immediately noticed a person in the parking lot watching for anglers. To bypass lifeguards, officers remained hidden and used thermal night vision to observe fishermen blindfolded as they attempted to steal salmon from the river. Ecology’s Grogan and Brown eventually surprised the men and ordered them to put their fishing gear on the ground while Officer Zullo had already collected the salmon on the stringer. Officers arrested 11 hookers and issued 26 tickets for offenses including possession of a weighted hook, purse snatching, fishing after hours and not having a fishing license.
- On September 28, conservationists Broughton and Goonan were conducting routine inspections at a New York City fish market when they observed a specimen selling tautog (also known as blackfish) from the sidewalk during the closure period. Officers found 12 tautog for sale, three times the legal possession limit when the fish is in season. ECO educated the individual on tautog regulations and issued a ticket returnable to New York City Criminal Court.
Striped bass illegally sold in Queens County
Out-of-season tautogs sold illegally in New York City
Ride Victor – Ontario County
On September 16th, Victor Village residents were invited to the annual “Climb Aboard” event. The second annual event drew hundreds of villagers and gave participants access to more than 50 large trucks and vehicles, ranging from fire engines and construction equipment to large tow trucks and emergency helicopters. . This year, ECO’s Latzi, Snowdon, and Dussault (with K-9 Vinny in tow) displayed vehicles for attendees to explore, including snowmobiles, UTVs, and DEC-marked police cars. Officers also brought turkey, coyote and bear decoys and mechanical deer. ECO demonstrated how the equipment is used during daily patrols, answered questions and gave everyone a chance to “ride” the vehicle.
DEC equipment at Ontario County’s “Climb Aboard Victor” event
Shot in the Dark – Sullivan County
At approximately 4:30 a.m. on September 21, Ecology’s Dorosky and Boys received a report of shots fired in a field in the town of Fallsburg. The caller had previously encountered poachers on his property and was able to provide the license plate number, description of the vehicle, and last known direction of travel. Officers Drosky and Boies recovered the targeted deer and located a suspicious vehicle at a nearby home. ECO interviewed three of his subjects and uncovered multiple violations of environmental conservation laws. ECOs charged the shooter with trespassing, using artificial light to capture deer, taking deer out of season and after hours, possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, and hunting without a license. Two accomplices were charged with trespassing and aiding and abetting a violation. The suspect’s rifle, spotlight and deer were seized.
ECO Boys illegally kills deer and .308 rifle seized in Sullivan County
Youth Pheasant Hunting – Rensselaer/Greene County
DEC Region 4 ECOs participated in a successful youth pheasant hunt on September 23rd.
- Lt. Maloney and environmentalists Bush and Klinga participated in a youth pheasant hunt in Rensselaer County. Following the recent acquisition of land on George Allen Hollow Road in Berlin, members of the law enforcement division are working with wildlife agency personnel to take advantage of the property’s ideal pheasant habitat. did. Officer Klinga worked with Frank Dingman and Bob Davis of the Rensselaer County Conservation Alliance and Stacy Preusser of the DEC Division of Wildlife to organize a youth hunt and secure birds for the event. Did. The hunt involved December Area 4 Wildlife Warden Mr. Clark and his 10 registered youth hunters, including his dog Blue, and his three volunteer dog handlers. A further 30 pheasants were stocked on the property for hunting and many of the young hunters succeeded in capturing at least one of his pheasants each while hunting with dogs for the first time.
- ECO supported the Greene County Sportsmen’s Federation’s annual blue pheasant hunt in the town of Greenville. Nineteen local youth hunters participated in the event along with their parents, mentors, and other local hunting volunteers. The youth hunters received instruction on firearm safety before heading to the scene. Captain Glorioso and ECOs Palmatere, Smith, and Hameline worked closely with the young hunters to ensure a safe and enjoyable day for all involved. The event concluded with an afternoon barbecue.
ECO Klinga holds safety briefing before youth pheasant hunt in Rensselaer County
ECO’s Mike Hameline, Michaela Hameline (K9 handler), ECO’s Mr. Palmateer and Mr. Smith reiterate safety instructions to youth hunters.
K9 Demo – Hamilton County
On September 21, ECO LaCroix and K9 Web attended the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District’s 44th Annual Conservation Field Day. Officer LaCroix briefly briefed the young people in the audience on the history of the Law Enforcement Bureau’s K9 unit and explained how police dogs support ECO’s mission. He then showed the approximately 90 students in attendance the various areas in which K9 Web will be trained.
ECO LaCroix and K9 Web host show for Hamilton County students
North Creek Outdoor Show – Warren County
On September 23, conservationists Lapointe and Brassard attended the North Creek Outdoor Show in Warren County. The show will feature local hunters, trappers, anglers and outdoor adventurers from the area. Booths at the event offered information on several topics, including local taxidermy, fly fishing, rafting, and guiding. The event also featured firearms safety information and activities for children. ECOs interacted with attendees and answered questions about ECO duties.
ECO Brassard (left) and Eco LaPoint (right) where ECO tables are placed
Bambino Boa – Bronx County
On September 26, conservationists Abelson and Goonan were on patrol when they received a report of a large snake in McCombs Dam Park, adjacent to Yankee Stadium. Officers responded to the scene along with the New York City Police Department and found a group of onlookers surrounding the 5-foot-tall boa constrictor. The snake had duct tape around its mouth and was probably an abandoned pet. Officers transported the constrictor to a New York City animal shelter. The snake was then placed with rehabilitators.
Boa constrictor recovered by ECO near Yankee Stadium
Business Manager Arrested – Schenectady County
On October 3, a Schenectady County business owner accepted a guilty plea and paid a fine for environmental conservation violations committed earlier this year. On April 18, Environmental Engineers Wilson and DeAngelis assisted Glenville Police in executing a search warrant on a property off Scotch Bush Road. The property owner operates a taxidermy business. Officers observed and documented violations, including improper disposal of parts of animals susceptible to chronic wasting disease, failure to record taxidermy records, and failure to report game harvest. In addition to accepting the guilty plea, the defendant also paid the $525 fine imposed by the judge. The defendant and his attorney are cooperating with Glenville police on multiple petty theft charges and charges of defrauding taxidermy customers.
Deficiencies Documented During Warrant Execution at Schenectady County Taxidermy Business
ECO arrests suspect on suspicion of stabbing – Staten Island
On October 6th, a member of the public approached ECO Furner on Staten Island and pointed out a suspect believed to be involved in a stabbing on an MTA bus. Officer Furner and a retired NYPD sergeant who were on the scene at the time of the incident approached the boy and briefly restrained him near the intersection of Hylan Boulevard and Littlefield Street in Staten Island until NYPD members arrived. . The suspect was turned over to the NYPD. Police allege the 14-year-old subject fatally stabbed the 13-year-old after an argument.
To contact ECO to report an environmental crime or incident, call 1-844-DEC-ECOS, available 24 hours a day. or email (for non-emergency violations).