NEW ORLEANS POLICE DEPARMENT ECOLOGY SQUAD

• NCJ Number: 66404
• Journal: Police Chief Volume: 47 Issue: 4 Dated: (APRIL 1980) Pages: 70-73
• Author(s): D R KENT; E M MCKINNON; J MADERE
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: International Assoc of Chiefs of Police
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE VARIED WORK OF THE THREE-MAN NEW ORLEANS POLICE DEPARTMENT ECOLOGY SQUAD RANGING FROM ALLIGATOR CAPTURE TO SCHOOL ECOLOGY INSTRUCTION ARE DESCRIBED.

Abstract

THE SQUAD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR POLICING 363.5 SQUARE MILES THAT ARE HALF MARSHLAND. THE IMPETUS FOR THE SQUAD FORMED IN 1971, CAME FROM AN INCREASING NUMBER OF SURFACE AND UNDERGROUND FIRES WITH RESULTANT SMOG AND FROM INCREASED FIREARMS HAZARDS FROM HUNTERS AND FISHERMEN. THE MAJOR GOALS OF THE SQUAD WERE TO ELIMINATE ILLEGAL HUNTERS AND TO COMBAT THE RISING NUMBER OF FIRES, OFTEN STARTED IN THE PEAT THAT HAD BUILT UP IN THE MARSHLANDS. SQUAD EQUIPMENT INCLUDES A SMALL CANOE FOR EACH MEMBER, A 16-FOOT BOSTON WHALER, AN 18-FOOT ALUMINUM FLAT BOAT, AND A 4-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE. SQUAD RESPONSIBILITIES HAVE INCLUDED SURVEYING THE AREA, HELPING RECOVER DROWNING VICTIMS, DESTROYING MARIHUANA PLANTS, HANDLING WILDLIFE SUCH AS SNAKES, ALLIGATORS, OWLS, WILD BOARS, AND BEES WHOSE PRESENCE IS PROBLEMATICAL, AND APPREHENDING LITTERERS AND POLLUTERS. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED. (AOP)