(A) Records required. At the time of any reportable transaction other than renewals, extensions or redemptions, every licensee must immediately record the following in a computerized record approved by the Police Department or the licensing inspector, or if the computer is temporarily unavailable in a book or journal which has page numbers that are preprinted and in an indelible ink, record the following information:
(1) A complete and accurate description of each item as well as all of the following, if applicable: any trademark, identification number, serial number, model number, brand name, or any other unique identifying mark;
(2) The date, time and place the item of property was received by the licensee, and the unique transaction number that distinguishes it from all other transactions;
(3) The full name, date of birth, residence address and phone number of the person from whom the item was received;
(4) An accurate physical description of the person from whom the item was received, including: sex, height, weight, race, color of eyes, and color of hair. If this information is transcribed from a photo ID there must be a notation that the information recorded actually matched the person from whom the item was received;
(5) The identification number and state or country of issuance, as well as a legible photocopy of one of the following forms of identification of the seller:
(a) Current valid photo driver’s license issued within the United States;
(b) Current valid photo state identification card issued within the United States;
(c) Current valid United States military photo identification card; or
(d) Current valid passport;
(6) The amount of money paid, loaned, or pledged therefor;
(7) A list of all fees and charges which the transaction may be subject to;
(8) The last regular day of business by which the item must be redeemed by the pledger without risk that the item will be sold, and the amount necessary to redeem the pawned item on that date;
(9) The unique identifier of the licensee or employee that conducted the transaction.
(B) Daily reports to police. At the close of each business day, the licensee must provide the above records to the Police Department by transferring it from their computer to the automated pawn system (APS) via modem using the current version of the APS interchange file specification. All required records must be transmitted completely and accurately. Any transaction that does not meet the APS interchange file specification must be corrected and resubmitted the next business day. The licensee must inform all patrons, both orally and by displaying a sign of sufficient size in a conspicuous place on the premises, that all transactions are reported to the Police Department daily.
(C) Photographic records.
(1) The licensee must also take a color video recording or digitally-captured photo image of the following:
(a) Each customer involved in a reportable transaction; and
(b) Every item received that does not have a unique serial or identification number permanently engraved or affixed.
(2) If a video photograph is taken, the video camera must zoom in on the person pawning or selling the item so as to include an identifiable close-up of that person’s face. Items photographed by video must be accurately depicted. Video photographs must be electronically referenced by time and date so they can be readily matched and correlated with all other records of the transaction to which they relate.
(3) If a digital color photograph is taken it must be of sufficient quality resolution so that persons and items photographed are clearly identifiable. The major portion of the photograph must include an identifiable front facial close-up of the person who pawned or sold the item. Items photographed must be accurately depicted. Further, the photographs must be maintained in such a manner as to be readily matched and correlated with all of the records of the transaction to which it relates.
(4) The licensee must inform the person that they are being photographed and/or videotaped by displaying a sign of sufficient size in a conspicuous place on the premises.
(D) Retention of records. Data entries must be retained for at least three years from the date of transaction. Photographs, videos, and digitized images must be retained for a minimum of 90 days from the date of transaction.
(E) Renewals, extensions and redemptions. For renewals, extensions, and redemptions, the licensee shall provide the original transaction identifier, the date of the current transaction, and the type of transaction.
(F) Inspection of records and premises. At all times during the terms of the license, the licensee must allow any representative of the department of safety and inspections and/or the Police Department to enter the premises where the licensed business is located, including all off-site storage facilities as authorized in § 116.05, during normal business hours, except in an emergency, for the purpose of inspecting such premises and inspecting all items and records therein to verify compliance with this chapter and other applicable laws.
(G) Labeling required. Licensees must attach a label to every item at the time it is pawned, purchased or received in inventory from any reportable transaction. Permanently recorded on this label must be the number or the name that identifies the transaction in the pawnshop’s records, the transaction date, the name of the item, the model and serial number as they were reported to the police department, if applicable, and the date the item is out of pawn or can be sold, if applicable. The label must be of a type that can be attached to a variety of surfaces and remains easily removable, but of such construction that it may not be easily removed in one piece. Labels shall not be reused.
(H) Receipts required. Every licensee must provide a receipt to the party identified in every reportable transaction and must maintain a duplicate of that receipt for three years. The receipt must include at least the following information:
(1) The name, address and telephone number of the licensed business.
(2) The date and time the item was received by the licensee.
(3) Whether the item was pawned or sold, or the nature of the transaction.
(4) An accurate description of each item received including, but not limited to, any trademark, identification number, serial number, model number, brand name or other identifying mark on each item.
(5) The signature or unique identifier of the licensee or employee who conducted the transaction.
(6) The amount advanced or paid.
(7) The monthly and annual interest rates, including all pawn fees and charges.
(8) If the item was pawned, the last regular day of business by which the item must be redeemed by the pledger without risk that the item will be sold, and the full amount necessary to redeem the item on that date.
(9) The full name, current residence address, current telephone number and date of birth of the pledger or seller.
(10) The identification number and state or country of issuance from any of the following forms of identification of the pledger or seller:
(a) Current valid photo driver’s license issued within the United States;
(b) Current valid photo state identification card issued within the United States;
(c) Current valid United States photo military identification card; or
(d) Current valid passport.
(11) Description of the pledger or seller including sex, race, color of eyes and hair and approximate weight and height.
(12) The statement “The pledger of this item attests that it is not stolen, it has no liens of encumbrances against it, and the pledger has the right to sell or pawn the item.”
(13) Signature and thumbprint of pledger or seller.
(I) Report of suspicious items. No licensee shall receive or accept any item of property that contains an altered, obliterated, or obviously removed serial number or unique identifier, or any item that the licensee has reason to believe has been lost or stolen. Further, the licensee shall immediately report to the Police Department any attempt to sell, trade, or barter such items. If probable cause exists that specific items are stolen or have been used in the commission of a crime and a representative of the Police Department notifies the licensee of such fact, the licensee shall not sell or permit to be sold, remove or permit to be removed, such items until such time as the licensee is notified by the Chief or his or her representative.
(J) Redemption period. A person pledging, pawning, or depositing an item for security shall have a minimum of 90 days from the date of that transaction or any renewal or extension, to redeem the item before it may be forfeited and sold. Licensees are prohibited from redeeming any item to anyone other than the person to whom the receipt was issued unless:
(1) Such person has written approval of the Chief of Police or the Chief’s designee; or
(2) Such person is identified in a written and notarized designation of that person’s interest in the property identified in the receipt; or
(3) In the event of the death of the person to whom the receipt was issued, by a person presenting a receipt with proper identification as required under M.S. § 344.04(a), and a certified copy of such person’s death certificate.
(K) Nonredemption. A pledger shall have no obligation to redeem pledged goods or make any payment on a pawn transaction. Pledged goods not redeemed within 90 days of the date of the pawn transaction, renewal, or extension will automatically be forfeited to the pawnbroker, and qualified right, title, and interest in and to the goods shall automatically vest in the pawnbroker.
(L) Risk of loss. In the event pledged good are lost or damaged while in possession of the pawnbroker, the pawnbroker shall compensate the pledger, in cash or replacement of goods acceptable to the pledger, for the fair market value of the lost or damaged goods. Proof of compensation shall be a defense to any prosecution or civil action.
(M) Holding periods. Any item purchased or accepted in trade by a licensee must not be sold or otherwise transferred for 30 days from the date of the transaction. Motor vehicles shall be exempt from this requirement.
(N) Police order to hold/confiscate.
(1) Whenever the Chief of Police, the Chief’s designee, or a licensed law enforcement official from another jurisdiction notifies a licensee not to sell an item, the item must not be sold or removed from the licensed premises until authorized to be released by the Chief, the Chief’s designee, or the licensed law enforcement official instituting the hold. The order to hold shall expire 90 days from the date it is placed unless the Chief, the Chief’s designee, or a licensed law enforcement official determines that the hold is still necessary and notifies the licensee in writing. If an item is identified as stolen or as evidence in a criminal case, the Chief, the Chief’s designee, or a licensed law enforcement official from another jurisdiction may:
(a) Physically confiscate and remove the item from the shop;
(b) Place the item on permanent hold and leave it in the shop;
(c) Leave the item in the shop and authorize its release to the owner or an authorized person pursuant to the requirements of M.S. § 609.523.
(2) When an item is confiscated, the person doing so shall provide identification to the licensee along with the name and phone number of the confiscating agency and investigator, and the case number related to the confiscation. When an order to hold/confiscate is no longer necessary, the Chief, the Chief’s designee, or the licensed law enforcement official initiating the hold shall so notify the licensee.
(O) Burglar alarm. Licensees shall maintain an electronic burglar alarm system for the licensed premises. Such system must be duly licensed by the city and maintained in working order. Such system must also be centrally monitored and must be backed by a battery power source.
(P) Business at only one place. A license under this chapter authorizes the licensee to carry on its business only at the permanent place of business designated on the license. However, upon written request, the license inspector may approve an off-site locked and secured storage facility. The licensee shall permit inspection of the facility in accordance with § 116.05(F). All provisions of this chapter regarding record keeping and reporting apply to the facility and its contents. Property shall be stored in compliance with all provisions of the city code. The licensee must either own the building in which the business is conducted and any approved off-site storage facility, or have a lease on the business premises which extends for more than six months.
(Q) Required signage.
(1) A licensee must post adequate signage and separate written notice informing persons seeking to pawn, pledge, sell, consign, leave or deposit goods with the licensee of the requirements of this chapter. For the purpose of this division (Q), ADEQUATE SIGNAGE shall, at a minimum, mean at least one sign of not less than four feet square in surface area, comprised of lettering not less than three-quarters of an inch in height, posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises and stating the following: TO PAWN OR SELL PROPERTY: YOU MUST BE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE YOU MUST BE THE TRUE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY THE PROPERTY MUST BE FREE OF ALL CLAIMS AND LIENS YOU MUST PRESENT VALID PHOTO IDENTIFICATION VIOLATION OF ANY OF THESE REQUIREMENTS IS A CRIME ALL TRANSACTIONS ARE RECORDED BY VIDEO ALL TRANSACTIONS ARE REPORTED TO POLICE DAILY.
(2) For the purpose of this division (Q), SEPARATE WRITTEN NOTICE shall be deemed to mean either the receipt, as required in M.S. § 344.04(h), or a printed form, incorporating a statement to the effect that the person pawning, pledging, selling, consigning, leaving, or depositing the article is at least 18 years of age; is the true owner of the article; and that the article is free of all claims and liens. The separate written notice must be signed by the person seeking to pawn, pledge, sell, consign, leave, or deposit the article with the licensee and the notice must be kept in the files of the licensee along with the other records of the transaction.
(Ord. 181, passed 3-20-2017) Penalty, see § 10.99