The purpose of this subchapter is to prevent pawnshops, secondhand dealers, junk dealers, and scrap metal dealers and similar businesses from being used as facilities for the commission of crime. The City Council finds that the pawn industry has outgrown the City's current ability to effectively or efficiently identify crime activity related to pawnshops, scrap metal, second hand dealers, and precious metal dealers can also be compromised by others in the commission of crimes. To assure that such businesses comply with basic consumer protection standards and to protect the public health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the City, the City Council therefore finds consumer protection regulation is warranted in transactions involving pawnbrokers, secondhand dealers, and precious metal dealers. To help law enforcement better regulate current and future pawnshops, secondhand dealers, junk dealers, and scrap metal dealers and similar businesses, decrease and stabilize costs associated with regulation of these businesses, and increase identification of criminal activities in these businesses through the timely collection and sharing of pawn transaction information, this subchapter also implements and establishes the required use of the Leads Online, Automated Pawn System (APS), or similar system.
(Ord. No. 15-2011, 12-6-11)