Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police

09/25/2026

Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police K9 Scup will receive a bullet- and stab-protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Scup's vest was sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and will be embroidered with the sentiment "This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc." Delivery is expected within ten weeks.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet- and stab-protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S.-made, custom fitted, and National Institute of Justice (NIJ) certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 6,677 vests valued at $6.9 million to K9s in all 50 states, made possible by both private and corporate donations.

The program is open to U.S. dogs at least 20 months old, actively employed, and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $1,050 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1,800, weighs an average of 4–5 lbs., and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call (508) 824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.

09/10/2026

Found kayak on Stillwater Pond - is it yours?
Yesterday, an EnCon Police officer was dispatched to Stillwater Pond in Torrington after a kayak washed up on shore. EnCon Police and the Torrington Fire Department did a thorough search of the area, and we have no reason to believe anyone is missing or in trouble.

Now we'd just like to get this kayak back where it belongs! If you're missing a kayak, or know someone who may have been out paddling on Stillwater Pond, please give our dispatch a call at 860-424-3333.

Situations like this are exactly why Connecticut's new paddlecraft law is on the books. Kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and other unregistered boats are now required to have the owner's name and contact info on them. When we find an empty boat, one quick phone call can tell us whether someone needs help or whether it just drifted away from the dock.

Need a label? DEEP offers free waterproof "If Found" stickers with room for your name and two phone numbers. Just email our colleagues Boating in Connecticut at [email protected] with your mailing address and how many stickers you need.

09/04/2026

Heading to a Connecticut state park or beach this weekend? You may need to leave the alcohol at home.

Alcohol is prohibited at many of Connecticut’s state parks and beaches, and EnCon Police will be enforcing these regulations throughout the holiday weekend.

Alcohol is prohibited on all state beaches and boardwalks, and there are temporary alcohol bans currently in effect at 10 state recreation areas through November 15, 2026.

See the areas covered by the temporary bans:
https://portal.ct.gov/deep/news-releases/news-releases---2026/deep-re-issues-alcohol-ban-for-ten-recreation-areas

For other state parks and forests, alcohol restrictions may apply year-round.

Check the full list of alcohol policies and prohibited areas:
https://portal.ct.gov/deep/state-parks/policies---ct-state-parks-and-forests

If you’re found in possession of alcohol where it is prohibited, you may receive a fine—and your entire party could be required to leave the park.
Know the rules before you go. Have a safe holiday weekend!

09/03/2026

DEEP EnCon Police arrested two individuals overnight on multiple commercial fishing violations following an enforcement operation in West Haven harbor.

The operation was conducted in response to multiple complaints regarding illegal nets in the harbor. Many of those complaints came from boaters concerned about the safety hazard the nets posed to vessels, including the risk of fouling motors. The nets were removed from the water and confiscated.

Qidong Chen and Yuqing Lin, both aged 53 of Meriden, were charged with:
- Commercial fishing without a license
- Fishing for summer flounder without the required
endorsement
- Possession of 15 undersize summer flounder (fluke)
- Illegal harvest of 99 eastern oysters
- Shellfishing after sunset
- Possession of 51 undersize blue crabs

The minimum legal size for commercially harvested summer flounder in Connecticut is 14 inches, and the smallest fish seized measured 3.5 inches.

The seized fish were donated to A Place Called Hope, a raptor rehabilitation center in Killingworth, where they will be used to feed birds of prey in the center's care.

We often hear the sentiment that fish and game crimes are “victimless” and therefore less serious. However, size limits and harvest hours exist so these species can reach reproductive age, and so the commercial fishermen who follow the law are not undercut by those who do not.

This case began with reports from the public, we need your help to protect our states natural resources. Suspected fish and wildlife violations can be reported around the clock to DEEP Emergency Dispatch at 860-424-3333.

07/30/2026

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) have concluded a lengthy investigation into the illegal possession of venomous snakes. The investigation resulted in the seizure of 49 reptiles and multiple arrests.

On June 24, 2026 the EnCon Police Investigation Unit, in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Connecticut State Police (CSP) Bureau of Special Investigations, executed a search and seizure warrant of a warehouse at 925 Sherman Avenue in Hamden, CT. As a result of the search warrant ex*****on, the EnCon Police seized 49 reptiles, including 46 venomous snakes, two anacondas, and one water monitor lizard.

Full press release available at the link below.
https://portal.ct.gov/deep/news-releases/news-releases---2026/ct-environmental-conservation-police-make-arrest-for-possession-of-venomous-snakes

Additional photos from the seizure are available in the album - link in the comments.

07/30/2026

07/02/2026

Operation Dry Water: July 3–5
With the 4th of July holiday bringing more boats out onto our waterways, EnCon Police officers will be increasing patrols as part of Operation Dry Water - a national campaign to reduce impaired boating. Expect a greater presence on Long Island Sound, the Connecticut River, and Candlewood Lake this weekend.
Remember: on the water or on the road, the legal limit is the same - BAC .08. Boating under the influence isn't just dangerous, it's illegal.
See something concerning? Call us at 860-424-3333.
Have a safe and happy 4th of July, Connecticut!

06/23/2026

Celebrating 5 Years of the ENCON Ranger Program!
It's hard to believe it's already been five years since we launched the ENCON Ranger Program! To celebrate this milestone, we checked in with our first-year Ranger alumni to see what they've been up to since their days patrolling our beaches.
We're proud to report that more than half of our 2021 First Ranger Class went on to careers in law enforcement:

- 4 are currently serving as ENCON Police Officers
- 2 have served as ENCON Dispatchers
- 2 are Connecticut State Troopers

Other alumni are now serving with:

U.S. Park Police
Massachusetts State Police
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Police
University of Connecticut Police
Old Lyme Police
Enfield Police
East Haddam Police
Waterbury Police
Fairfield Police (Special Police Officer)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rangers

Looking to kick-start your career in law enforcement? The ENCON Ranger Program is a great way to gain valuable experience and build a foundation for a career in policing — whether with our department or another agency.

06/12/2026

EnCon officers have responded to 110 nuisance bear calls since January 1st - 96 of them since April 1st alone. Of those, 20 involved bears entering homes.

As temperatures rise and bears become more active, so do the conflicts that bring them into contact with people. The best way to reduce these calls — and keep bears wild — is to remove what's drawing them in the first place.

Read on for tips from our Wildlife Division colleagues on how to be this season.

Things are heating up — and that includes “beary” unwanted guests.

With young bears quickly growing, mating season underway, and yearlings finding their own territories, bears have been very active lately. This increased activity leads to more observations and, unfortunately, bears entering homes. So far this year, there have been 20 bear home entries in Connecticut.

With warm weather upon us, it is important to be to help prevent conflicts with bears that are comfortable around people and view our homes and yards as places to find food.

Remember the following:

✅ Prevent bears from finding human-sourced foods such as bird and hummingbird feeders, garbage, uncleaned grills, and pet food.

✅ Keep doors and windows secured, even if you are away briefly. Many bears gain entry to homes through open or unlocked door and windows—screens alone will not keep hungry bears away.

✅ Scare bears away if you see them—those quick pics and clips don’t benefit you or the bears.

✅ Keep pets on a leash when walking or hiking outdoors.

To learn more about living with black bears, or protecting chickens, bees, and livestock with electric fencing, visit https://portal.ct.gov/deep/wildlife/bears/the-basics-of-living-with-black-bears

It is up to all of us to keep bears, and our neighborhood, safe.

06/07/2026

**REQUEST FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE**

On 06/07/2026, a deceased male black bear weighing approximately 200lbs was located dumped on the side of Upson Rd in the town of Burlington. During a preliminary assessment of the bear, it appears as though there is a wound behind its front right shoulder consistent with being shot. At this time, we do not believe the incident took place on Upson Rd. The bear carcass was seized by Officers for further investigation. The State EnCon Police are requesting the public’s assistance to help identify the person(s) responsible for the killing of this male black bear. Anyone with information is urged to contact the State Encon Police Emergency Dispatch center at 860-424-3333 or you can email Officer Matthew Heath at [email protected]