Image has also been a factor, said Ruben Oropeza, the county environmental enforcement officer, whose father was a manager of a migrant camp.

Environmental Enforcement Officers only carry baton whereas Wildlife Enforcement Officers are also equipped with firearm.

The skirmishing between the two states over the origin of floating debris that has polluted New Jersey's beaches brought Laurence Levy, an assistant New York City Corporation Counsel, to Trenton with New York City environmental enforcement officers and officials of the city's Sanitation Department.