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ALBANY, N.Y. -- The Department of Environmental Conservation is taking measures to ensure communities across the state from Long Island to Buffalo are doing all they can to prevent pollution.

Environmental Conservation officers will conduct enforcement activities, checking diesel truck emission and exhaust, and addressing potential environmental and health issues in areas close to schools and playgrounds.

It's all part of the DEC's expansion of it's "Operation ECO-Quality" to the Capital Region, Western New York, New York City and Long Island.

Officials said the program focuses on encouraging greater compliance with environmental laws to address potential environmental health and quality of life issues. They said they'll specifically be looking for substances in the area that could pose harm.

"Petroleum and other hazardous substances, air pollution, battery and user oil recycle and water pollution, during community patrols; the ECO's will point out existing violations to facility managers, businesses, and employees, and determine appropriate appropriate action to ensure compliance," said Gene Kelly, DEC Region Director.

The DEC said back in 2010 they operated the ECO-Quality program in Westchester County and found compliance rates more than doubled in the three communities they took action.