CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – Peering in through people’s windows is on its way to becoming a crime in New Hampshire.

A committee of lawmakers from the House and Senate agreed to language Monday that would allow police to charge peeping Toms with a crime.

Police complained to lawmakers that they could only collect fines from peepers by charging them with prowling or loitering.

The issue came up two years ago when Durham police found a man they suspected of sneaking into homes and snipping clothing off women as they slept. They caught the man peering into windows but could not charge him with a crime.

“What was frustrating was the complete void – when we went to prosecute this person, it was a violation, something less than a traffic ticket,” said Durham Police Chief David Kurz.

The suspect, Jeffrey Gelinas, 29, of Weare, pleaded guilty to attempted burglary in May in an unrelated case.

Henniker Police Chief Tim Russell also welcomes the legislation. Russell said one of his officers went home one night to discover a man watching through the window at the officer’s wife.

“We wanted to charge this guy and the only way we could charge him was with prowling and loitering,” Russell said.