PETERSON BILL CREATING TASK FORCE TO TRACK STOLEN VALUABLES BECOMES LAW
WASHINGTON, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — New Jersey took an important step forward Wednesday to make the return of stolen jewelry and other property more likely. Assemblyman Erik Peterson is pleased to announce that his legislation creating a second-hand valuables transaction reporting task force (A-2224) was signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie.
“This legislation may not be flashy but it will improve the quality of life for all New Jerseyans by laying important groundwork using 21st century technology to track stolen property,” said Peterson (R-Hunterdon). “The goal is to seek the task force’s recommendations on a comprehensive set of tools needed to establish an effective statewide reporting system.”
The bill, which passed both houses of the Legislature earlier this year, creates a task force to evaluate low-cost technology making information on the purchases of second-hand goods – such as jewelry, raw precious metals and antiques – immediately available to law enforcement throughout the state and not just the municipality where the transaction took place.
The potential reforms the task force could recommend may also help law enforcement combat the heroin epidemic, which is often funded by the sale of stolen goods from people’s homes, cars and elsewhere.
“The system will allow law enforcement to gather the intelligence needed to quickly apprehend criminals who steal with the intent to pawn or sell stolen goods for drug money,” explained Peterson. “Hopefully, the recommendations will provide us one more piece in the puzzle to solve our state’s drug problem.”
The Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony Kearns, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato, the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police and local jewelry merchants were all part of this collaborative effort.
“This legislation is the perfect example of the community collaboration we need to combat crime and the heroin crisis,” concluded Peterson. “I look forward to working with the Governor’s Office to expedite the appointments to the task force and implement its findings.”
