AlbanyCounty.com

Statement by Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy on Veto of Local Law G

"Victims of crime need to be protected. Local Law G is not the answer and that is why I have vetoed it. I commend Legislator Gary Domalewicz for bringing the issue to the forefront and engaging in this public discussion. While the intention of Local Law G of 2012 is good, it would place an undue burden on businesses, causing a hardship to them and creating issues for law enforcement in collecting this information. I have held two public hearings on this issue and there was not one person who spoke on behalf of such a law. In fact, business owners overwhelmingly spoke out against it and supported what they are doing currently with notification to them by police agencies. I also point to a recent news story involving a missing Purple Heart medal returned to its 84 year old owner by an area collectibles dealer. The dealer was suspicious when a young man tried to sell it to him. He bought it; researched the name on the reverse side and returned it to its rightful owner.

I praise both Chairman Shawn Morse and Legislator Domalewicz for their work with secondhand dealers to talk about the issue so that crime victims know businesses are aware of the issue and they are not victimized again."