Don’t Sell Your Stolen Loot In Shelton
by Jodie Mozdzer | Dec 5, 2010 11:08 pm
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Posted to: Shelton, Police
The Shelton Police Department is looking out for Grandma’s stolen wedding ring — and any other hot previous metals that can be pawned or scrapped for cash.Advertisements like this offer fast cash for gold.
The police department wants to tighten the city’s pawnbroker ordinance to help the department recover the goods faster.
The proposed changes could also help make sure temporary precious metals dealers — like weekend “cash for gold” conventions — have a harder time setting up shop in town, said Chief of Police Joel Hurliman.
The proposal aims to do two main things:
- Create a waiting period before precious metals can be refined or sold. Hurliman suggested 30 days.
- Require pawnbrokers to communicate with the police department electronically on a daily basis, instead of through weekly printed reports.
The Board of Aldermen’s public health and safety subcommittee is reviewing the proposed changes and is seeking feedback from the city’s attorney.
If the subcommittee approves the changes, the full Board of Aldermen would also have to review, and approve, it before it went into effect.PHOTO: Jodie Mozdzer
Shelton Pawn Shop on Howe Avenue
Click here to read the current pawnbroker ordinance on the books.
The owner of the city’s only pawn shop says he likes the idea of tightening up the rules to include traveling “cash for gold” shows.
“They should,” said Ken Jones, owner of Shelton Pawn and Jewelry on Howe Avenue. “The rules got to be for everybody.”
Jones said pawn shops are already strictly regulated, so the proposal won’t necessarily be a burden on his shop.
“Pawn shops now, nothing stolen comes in because we have so many rules and regulations,” Jones said. “Nobody’s going to risk their business.”
Jones said if a suspicious item comes into his shop, he is in contact with police. To sell to pawn shops, people need to present their license and sign a form swearing the item is theirs to sell, Jones said.
Jones said he is already trying to move toward electronic communication with the police department.
Hurliman said that while Shelton Pawn and Jewelry already works with police, the ordinance would help prevent future shops or owners from allowing stolen goods through.
Hurliman said the electronic reporting will be especially helpful because the reports will be available to a network of departments through New England.
So if items are stolen, and then pawned in the next state over, the immediate electronic report can help recover it regardless, Hurliman said.
“It will certainly help recover family heirlooms,” Hurliman said. “And that’s the main point.”
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great idea!
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