The City Council finds that pawnbrokers, precious metal dealers and secondhand dealers can provide an opportunity for the commission and concealment of crimes, because the businesses have the ability to receive and transfer stolen property easily and quickly. The City Council also finds that consumer protection regulation is warranted in transactions involving pawnbrokers, precious metal dealers and secondhand dealers. The purpose of this section therefore is to prevent pawnbrokers, precious metal dealers and secondhand dealers from being used as facilities for the commission of crimes and to assure that the businesses comply with basic consumer protection standards, thereby protecting the public health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the city.
(Prior Code, § 6.13) (Am. Ord. 48, Second Series, passed 7-1-2002)