PROPOSAL: PAWN SHOP LAW BACK TO COUNCIL

The Cape Girardeau City Council tonight will again consider a city law that would impose more stringent identification requirements for people who sell merchandise to pawnshops and jewelry stores.

The proposed law first was discussed at a council meeting in January, but was tabled after council members questioned the necessity of the restrictions and said they feared the measure would burden the affected merchants.

Police Chief Howard "Butch" Boyd asked that his department "work on the ordinance a little" before it was brought back to the council.

The measure now would affect only businesses that derive a majority of their business from the exchange of precious metals and "regularly derive a portion of their business from the exchange of second-hand precious metals," according to a letter to the council from Capt. Steve Strong of the police department.

The letter said that the measure, which would amend two city ordinances, would "strengthen the police department's ability to conduct criminal investigations, recover stolen property, and identify and arrest those dealing in stolen property."

Affected precious metal dealers would be required to obtain information from the seller's photograph identification. A related pawnbroker law also would require dealers to obtain a thumb print. It also prohibits pawnbrokers from purchasing directly from minors.

When the issue was first discussed Jan. 23, some local merchants said they thought the changes would intimidate honest customers by forcing them to provide photo identification and a thumb print.

The affected merchants would be required to maintain a register of the information from the customers and present the register upon demand by law enforcement officers.

Council members also said they thought the law was unnecessary, and some said it might be considered a violation of customers' privacy rights.

Police officials contended that more stringent identification requirements would help the police stem rising incidents of stolen goods being exchanged at pawnshops and other businesses that deal with used precious metals and jewelry.

Councilman Al Spradling said in January that he doubted the police department would be able to strictly enforce the ordinance. He said the ordinance, regardless of how strict, wouldn't prevent criminals from simply taking stolen goods to another community.

Mayor Gene Rhodes said the city law would only add to the bureaucratic paperwork that already overburden businessmen.

The latest measure, to be considered tonight, would require that pawnbrokers and merchants who "regularly derive a portion of their business" from the sale, purchase or exchange of used jewelry and precious metals keep a register of transactions that would include:

The name and address of the pawnshop.

The name, age, sex, race and address of the pledger; his physical description and driver's license number or other official identification number.

The date of the transaction.

A detailed identification and description of the pledged goods, including serial numbers if "reasonably available."

The amount of cash advanced or credit extended to the pledger.

The pawn service charge.

The total amount that must be paid to redeem the pledged goods on the maturity date.

The pawn transaction's maturity date.

Statements to delineate the pledger's rights and verify his identity.

The pledger's name and right thumb print on a three-by-five inch card.

Each transaction must be recorded in the shop's register for at least a year.

In other business, the council will consider a contract for the purchase of the water system from Union Electric. The transaction, approved last fall by voters, is finalized and subject to council approval.