MONTICELLO – Second hand dealers who buy or sell precious metals, gems or even jewelry, would be regulated by a proposed local law under review in Sullivan County.

The theory is to make it a bit harder for items taken during burglaries to quickly disappear, leaving little hope for the victim.

“The jewelry that they’re looking for, the jewelry that maybe has been identified, has already been transacted, it’s gone,” said District Attorney James Farrell.   “So now, we can’t recover it for the victim.  And, in a lot of cases, that can be extremely damaging.”

A key point of the local law would be a 15-day resale waiting period for pawn shops, antique dealers and any other retailer who takes in a covered item. 

Not covered, noted Farrell, would be copper piping, a major target of another class of burglars. 

There were a few concerns among legislators.

“What prevents criminals from going underground,” queried committee Chairwoman Cora Edwards.

The law was presented during the county legislature’s Public Safety Committee meeting Thursday.  A public hearing on the local law takes place on March 15, at 1:50 p.m., prior to the March monthly full legislature session.