The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement has reported significant activity in the first half of 2025, with officers fielding approximately 45,000 calls. This led to more than 18,934 complaints being addressed and 9,440 tickets or arrests issued for violations such as deer poaching, illegal dumping, mining infractions, pet trade violations, and emissions issues. In the previous year, DEC responded to over 30,109 complaints from more than 105,717 calls and issued 15,755 tickets or arrests.
“DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators protect New York’s air, water, wildlife, and public safety, while also working to connect New Yorkers with the outdoors,” said Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “As we tackle environmental threats on all fronts, I applaud the critical work DEC’s ECOs and Investigators are undertaking to enforce New York’s Environmental Conservation Law and ensure a cleaner, greener, safer, and more resilient New York State.”
Recent enforcement actions included several fishing compliance checks on Long Island. On August 23 in Patchogue’s Mascot Dock (Suffolk County), Officer Day found four individuals with a total of 86 blue crabs—51 of which were under the legal minimum size. All group members received tickets for possessing undersized crabs. Two other people were also ticketed for similar violations at the same location; overall ECO Day confiscated 81 undersized crabs which were returned to the water.
On September 1 at Flax Pond Tidal Wetland Area in Setauket (Suffolk County), Officer Day cited anglers for possession of undersized sea bass and tautog as well as parking without permits. Eight tickets were issued to four individuals.
Further checks on September 10 near Ponquogue Bridge in Southampton resulted in K9 Finn detecting an oversized striped bass exceeding both size limits and daily catch allowances. The angler was ticketed accordingly.
In Freeport (Nassau County) during early morning hours of September 11th under Meadowbrook Drawbridge, two people were found with excessive bluefish catches and an undersized striped bass; they also lacked proper marine registry documentation.
On September 18 in Port Jefferson (Suffolk County), Officer Day found a group with numerous undersized fish including porgy and black sea bass; all fish were confiscated and donated to Sweetbriar Nature Center for animal care.
In Delaware County on September 23rd ECOs Doig and Osborne responded to a motorist who discovered a garter snake inside her vehicle along State Route 17 near Hancock. The officers safely removed the non-venomous snake from the car without incident.
Educational outreach remains part of DEC’s mission. On September 23rd in Livingston County at DEC Avon Headquarters employees hosted their annual learn-to-fish event with Holy Childhood—a Rochester nonprofit supporting those with intellectual or developmental disabilities—teaching participants basic fishing skills.
The agency also participated in National Hunting and Fishing Day events such as one held on September 27 at Congers Lake Park (Rockland County). This event was organized by United Sportsmen Association of Rockland County alongside DEC involvement.
Youth hunting opportunities continued across the state during late September including youth waterfowl hunts at Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area (Niagara/Genessee counties), Stewart State Forest (Orange County), Jefferson County through Sackets Harbor Sportsman’s Club partnerships with conservation groups like NYCOA—and St. Lawrence County via Massena Rod & Gun Club events co-sponsored by national organizations.
Officer Krug addressed air quality concerns October 1st after stopping a pickup truck emitting heavy black exhaust between Whitehall and Hampton (Washington County). Testing revealed opacity far above legal limits; this case will be used as training material for new recruits.
Three new K9 officers joined DEC’s Division following graduation from a specialized academy in Schoharie County: K9 Shane (Region 8), K9 Brook (Region 6), K9 Sal (Region 9)—with two named after fallen law enforcement members Lt. David McShane and Game Protector Martin Salway. The new teams are trained in obedience as well as detection skills relevant to environmental law enforcement activities.
For reporting environmental crimes or incidents statewide contact DEC’s dispatch line at any time.
