November 25, 2024 — At least 14 Department of Environmental Conversation (DEC) agency offices were targeted with bomb threats since the beginning of November. The threats were a response to news that DEC conducted an operation which saw a raccoon and squirrel living with humans euthanized by the agency. In addition, two threats were made to branches of the New York State Attorney General’s offices in Plattsburgh and Binghamton. In both cases, other state workers in the building, like those employed by the Workers’ Compensation Board, were put in harm’s way.
These threats, and others like it, have seen a disturbing trend recently. Many of the DEC threats were sent to the email addresses of employees, and several PEF members report that they received additional harassment through phone calls and social media.
While there are ongoing investigations by law enforcement and the agency into the nature of these threats, employees across the state have communicated concerns for their safety due to the potential for violence at work.
In an email to DEC members, PEF outlined the steps taken to find solutions and keep members safe.
“PEF members deserve to feel secure and safe on the job, and don’t deserve to be harassed or threatened just for doing their job,” the email read. “If you receive any type of threat or harassment, notify the police immediately, and report all incidents through your agency workplace violence prevention policy procedures.”
Following the DEC incident, PEF immediately made calls to the agency and the Office of Employee Relations (OER) to deliver stronger responses to the violent threats and find ways to better protect members from the possibility of violence.
As a result, additional work from home days were afforded to employees during the threat period, and PEF called on the agency to be more transparent about the response to the threat with members.
At this time, the agency has returned to regular operations, and law enforcement are continuing their investigation. Additional law enforcement has been positioned at DEC offices as well.
PEF reminded members that, moving forward, any concerns about violence should be reported to the police, to DEC, and to PEF immediately.
“It is important for DEC to be able to track how many of these threats are coming in, and where/how they are being delivered,” PEF said in the email. “You should keep notes and document every incident of threat or harassment you receive. Save voicemail messages, take screenshots, and save any other evidence you may have of these threats.”
The DEC/PEF Statewide Health and Safety Committee will continue to review the incident to identify where improvements can be made for future responses and incorporate these changes into agency policies along with additional training for staff on emergency procedures. The committee will be revising Emergency Action Plans, Workplace Violence Prevention Policies/Program, and creating additional training for staff.