New Pawn Shop Rules On Hold... for Now

Monday, March 19, 2007 10:45 PM

The City of Prince George has decided to hold another public hearing on the Pawn Shop-Second Hand Dealers bylaw.

The new bylaw, which would require dealers (like the PG Pawn Shop shown at right ) to keep electronic records of items pawned, or sold. The electronic records will be directly linked with the police as a tool in police investigations of theft, and break and enter.

Development Services Dan Milburn says meetings were held with all of the pawn shop and second hand dealers and some revisions were made. "They told us that in the case of pawned items, often the client will use the pawn shop as a source for advance on their pay so they will be back to pick up the item within a week or so. The initial by-law said the item could not be sold within 30 days, so some changes were made to allow the item to be returned to the person who pawned it within that 30 day period."

Milburn says most of the dealers were already using computers to keep track of their inventory, and the software needed to keep the records consistent will be provided free of charge. "The new bylaw will take effect July 1st" says Milburn who says that will allow the dealers time to make adjustments and get on line.

Many of the provisions in this bylaw are the same as the one in New Westminster and that bylaw has stood-up to court challenges.

One second hand dealer indicated he had some issues because he often picks up fridges and stoves from clients, and this bylaw doesn't allow him to do that.

The bylaw would also cover auction houses as they deal with second hand goods.

Mayor Colin Kinsley says it is clear there are some issues that need to be clarified and Council has opted to bring this particular part of the bylaw back before another public hearing.

Previous Story - Next Story