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Health & Fitness

Legislator Day Pleased With Continued Success of Consumer Home Improvement Protection Act

 

New City, NY (September 16th, 2013) – Rockland County Legislator Ed Day (New City-Pomona) expressed satisfaction with ongoing enforcement activity against traveling bands of illegal contractors commonly referred to in law enforcement circles as “gypsy pavers”.  The Rockland County Consumer Home Improvement Protection Act, introduced by Legislator Day in 2009, continues to be an effective tool in preventing crimes against local citizens, as it authorizes additional penalties and impoundment of equipment of persons who operate as home improvement contractors in the County without a valid license. 

 

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“The goal at the time was to both close a legal loophole that allows illegal contractors who consistently ignore the rules honest contractors abide by, and to bring us in line with enforcement efforts of surrounding counties so we do not become a haven for the traveling bands of itinerant workers known to traverse neighborhoods looking to rip people off,” said Legislator Day, adding “To see these criminals stopped cold is extremely satisfying.”

 

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Last month, Clarkstown Police received a complaint from a paving business located in Rockland County that there were people going around soliciting and doing business under his business name and license number.  The investigation resulted in the arrest of three males, believed to be a part of “Irish Travelers” criminal group.  They were Irish nationals here in the United States on a three-month visa.  The group was doing substandard work, and would intimidate homeowners into paying more than the agreed upon price for the work. Investigation also revealed they were operating in adjacent states and using legitimate business licenses fraudulently to solicit work. Due to the authority granted under Rockland County Consumer Home Improvement Protection Act, the equipment was impounded, preventing the potential of further victimization of citizens.

 

Clarkstown Detective Earl Lorence, who first approached Legislator Day in 2009 about the impact of this type of criminal activity, said, “The Rockland County Consumer Home Improvement Protection Act did provide an effective tool to prevent additional homeowners from becoming victims.  This case was a great example of how the law is an effective tool designed to protect homeowners in Rockland County.”

 

Legislator Day, a security consultant and former law enforcement executive was made aware of this investigation by local law enforcement, and expressed great satisfaction in the successful investigation that stopped any additional illegal activity against Rockland residents.   “I applaud the investigators who were involved in the investigation, as they deserve the lion’s share of the credit. I am just happy that the law provides them with the added tools to ensure that our residents are not the victims of unscrupulous contractors.  It is most satisfying to see a law I sponsored make such a great difference,” concluded Legislator Day.

 

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