Bill seeks to put restrictions on teens selling jewelry

In a bid to combat heroin use among teenagers, Suffolk County lawmakers are poised to raise the minimum age to sell jewelry at pawnshops or gem exchanges from 18 to 21.

The legislation was spurred by Jacqueline Selva of Bay Shore, who discovered that her then-17-year-old son stole five gold necklaces and six gold bracelets from her to support his heroin habit.

"I had a particularly special meeting for work and when I went to get a necklace to wear, I couldn't find it," Selva said in an interview. "I got very upset."

Selva's son, whom she declined to name - he has a different last name, she said - quickly admitted he'd taken her jewelry to feed his heroin habit.

"This is a significant problem," said Selva, 51. "They're all doing it, it's quick cash. There are a lot of unscrupulous pawn dealers out there who will take advantage."

The bill's sponsor, Legis. Tom Barraga (R-West Islip), said that because parents like Selva are loath to report their own children to police for stealing, no data exists to measure the extent of the problem.

Barraga said the bill would allow someone younger than 21 to sell gold or silver to a pawnshop with a notarized letter from a parent. However, he acknowledged that the measure would do nothing to stop someone from giving the jewelry to someone older and having them sell it.

"All I'm trying to do here is close down an avenue to get easy cash to buy heroin," Barraga said. "All we're trying to do is make it a little more difficult."

The legislature's Consumer Protection Committee approved the bill this week and the full legislature is expected to vote on it at its next meeting, Sept. 16. Levy spokesman Dan Aug said Levy is reviewing the bill, though Barraga said he expects the bill to pass and Levy to sign it.