Lt. Anthony Rigoli is an Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) who works for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). In this episode, he takes us through his time as an ECO based in the last place anyone would expect to run into a game warden – New York City!
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Here’s what we discuss:
- The Great American Outdoor Show
- Many new officers begin in New York City
- “It’s a unique experience.”
- Assigned to Marine Enforcement Unit
- Specialized training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)
- Encountering high-end watercraft
- “Being a cop is dangerous. Being out on the ocean is dangerous.”
- Many people are unaware there are game wardens in NYC
- Checking fish markets for prohibited goods
- The not-so-secret signal for illegal turtles
- City-dwelling coyotes
- Piloting a brand new 44-foot jet boat
- The challenges of living and working in the city
- “You’ll come away with experiences that no other game warden is going to get.”
- Working with highly experienced and talented officers
- Shoreline fishing in Manhattan and crafty hiding spots
- Tips from the public matter
- 17 conservation officers policing 8 million people
- An outrageous illegal chemical dumping case
Credits
Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores
Producer: Jay Ammann
Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett
Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches
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