Freehold Borough Pawnshops Given Stricter Regulations

An updated Freehold Borough ordinance has been implemented in order to help prevent the selling of stolen property.

At the March 4 Freehold Borough Council meeting, the council unanimously agreed to amend an existing ordinance dealing with jewelry and precious metals. The revised ordinance has more guidelines for buyers and sellers at local secondhand dealers.

“This ordinance is for second handlers, also known as pawnshops. It basically tightens up both on the sellers and the buys and on our end. It tightens up the rules and regulations so everything is accounted for and legal,” explained Councilman Michael DiBenedetto. “It does not apply to clothing.”

Over the past year, there have been multiple reports from area Police about the selling of stolen property to secondhand dealers. The most recent Freehold Borough incident occurred on Feb. 15.

According to the ordinance, Freehold Borough Chief of Police recommended that secondhand dealers be regulated in a fashion similar to jewelry and precious metal dealers.

Businesses that wish to operate as a secondhand dealer or “pawnshop” must first obtain a license from the Borough Clerk. After receiving a license, a person interested in selling items to a secondhand dealer must provide suitable identification that provides the business with true name and address of the seller. The business must also get the seller’s telephone number and date of birth. 

After receiving all of the necessary information from the seller, the business must document all purchases with a serially numbered receipt, a copy of the receipt will be given to the seller and a copy will stay with the business. The ordinance also states that the business will need to keep a digital photograph of the items purchased.