Elberton Gets Tough on Pawn Shop Owners

By David Stephens, WSGC Radio, Elberton

A new ordinance goes into effect in the City of Elberton that affects local pawn shops and second-hand dealers.
Ordinance 2184 creates additional licensing requirements for secondhand dealers within the city.

Required under the new ordinance are for the second-hand dealer to take a picture of the item being brought in, take a picture of the person who brought in the item, and also fingerprint the person.  That process would have to be done every time something was brought in, even for repeat customers.

Additionally, Elberton City Manager Lanier Dunn said the amendment covers all items, regardless of value.

“Precious metals or gems, goods made from precious metals or gems, pledged goods, or tangible property acquired by a pawn broker. So, to me that includes everything”, said Dunn. “There is no exception for value, such as a five dollar item for example.”

Local Business Owner Ty Sigman says that would create a lot of additional work of him and other owners of pawn shops and second-hand stores.

“I have a lot of customers that come in repeatedly, and I think it would make them uncomfortable if I want to snap a picture every time they come in the door and get their finger prints each time”, explained Sigman. “Also, taking in each item, I would have to take a picture. We take in a lot of stuff and it would be very time consuming doing all that work by myself.”

However, Elberton Mayor Guest said these types of regulations are becoming the norm.

“Because there is so much theft going on, and a lot of that theft goes through pawn shops and jewelry shops. So those are also going to be required to handle it that way”, said Mayor Guest.

After discussion took place on the issue, Ordinance 2184 was placed on second reading, and was then unanimously adopted 4-0, with Councilman Rick Prince not in attendance at Monday night’s council meeting.