The Environmental Security Unit (ESU) was established
within the Department of Public Safety to protect and
safeguard the environment and natural resources of
Westchester through education and active enforcement.
The ESU provides input on security measures at certain County facilities including
parks, wastewater treatment plants, water supply structures and municipal waste
transfer stations. The ESU utilizes proactive measures to minimize adverse
impact to the environment. Members of the unit conduct frequent and irregular
environmental security inspections of County facilities as well as other critical
assets/infrastructure within the County.

The Environmental Security Unit enjoyed great success in 2005. The unit worked
with several agencies at all levels of government to conduct investigations and
form the collaborative partnerships needed to respond to, investigate and
remediate environmental incidents.

Investigations
In addition to conducting inspections and patrols, ESU completed 108 criminal
investigations. All cases resulted in corrective actions to minimize the negative
impact to the environment.  Many cases resulted in criminal charges/arrests
or the issuance of summonses.

Educational Programs
The Environmental Security Unit expanded the audience for its environmental
enforcement education to include presentations to local schools, community
organizations and businesses.  ESU presented thirteen educational programs in
2005. One program of particular interest was given to area oil companies and
service technicians. The presentation covered such topics as spill reporting and
prevention, environmental crimes and enforcement.

Croton Reservoir

Overview of Selected Cases

Radiation monitors were installed at the County’s municipal waste transfer
     stations in order to detect radioactive material entering the facilities before
     the material commingled with other trash. Investigations are commenced
     when the monitors detect radioactive material on incoming trucks. In 2005,
     medical iodine was the source of most of the radiation cases. In a small
     number of cases, medical supplies came from a doctor’s office or hospital.
     All cases necessitated the hiring of a certified contractor (by the municipality
     owning the truck) at a cost of several thousand dollars per incident to clean
     out the truck.  This highlighted a need to have doctors and hospitals provide
     better information to patients about proper disposal measures. A public
     awareness campaign was initiated to reduce the number of costly clean ups.
     New for 2005 was research into the possibility of truck mounted radiation
     detectors or disposing of the low-level waste under controlled conditions at
     the RESCO burn plant. The new measures will serve to save municipalities
     from costly cleanups and insure the material is disposed of properly.

A contractor who illegally dumped construction and demolition materials on
     park land was issued summonses and made to clean up the area and
     restore it to its original condition.

A joint investigation with the Solid Waste Commission into stolen roll-off
    containers, led to the arrest of a local hauler.

A summons was issued to a carpet cleaning company for discharging
    contaminated water into a catch basin that leads to the Croton reservoir.

Summonses were issued to a management company after complaints were
     received from local residents reporting a strong odor of sewage near a strip
     mall. The septic system for the mall had failed, and sewage was discharged
     into a nearby stream. The company was fined and ordered to make repairs.

Summonses were issued to a person who rented a picnic area in Tibbetts
    Brook Park for a large party that resulted in damage to the property and
    extensive littering. The person paid a fine and reimbursed the Department of
    Parks, Recreation and Conservation for the restoration.

Other
The ESU continues to work with County Airport officials to improve the Airport’s
Environmental Management System and protective measures already
implemented. The Airport successfully achieved re-certification in ISO 14001 for
its environmental policy.

Tibbetts Brook Park

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