Input Needed on Legislation Recommended For Pawn Shops
Nova Scotians are being asked to comment on a report that will govern pawn and second-hand shops.
A committee of police, Public Prosecution Service and government staff has made recommendations for legislation designed to cut down on the sale of stolen goods in pawn and second-hand shops. The report is now available for public input.
"Police have been asking for more and better tools to fight crime and have told us this kind of legislation will help remove the stolen property market and reduce home and car break-ins in our province," said Justice Minister Murray Scott. "We now want to hear from the public, businesses, municipalities and police on the committee's recommendations."
The legislation recommended in the committee's report would require pawnbrokers and second-hand shop owners to use an online registry for items such as bicycles, computers, electronic equipment, television sets, stereos, power tools, and musical instruments that are pawned or sold to them. The recommended legislation would lead to a standardized electronic tracking system for items sold to pawn and second-hand stores to help identify stolen goods.
In 2004, there were 36,482 property-related crimes in Nova Scotia, including break and enters into homes and businesses, shoplifting, and thefts from motor vehicles. This trend continues year to year and is estimated to cost Nova Scotians millions of dollars each year.
"Our police services have indicated that an electronic tracking system is not only an excellent investigative tool, it is also a crime prevention tool," said Chief Don Hussher, of the Nova Scotia Chiefs of Police Association. "Police services throughout Nova Scotia support this possible legislation. It will act as a deterrent for those who profit from stolen goods by making it harder for them to sell stolen property."
Some municipalities in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Ontario are using an Internet-based automated system that reports pawned property transactions to local police services as soon as they occur. It allows police from one jurisdiction to compare information with other agencies in the province.
"The pawn shop legislation is very popular with our police," said Cpl. Bob Hosaluk, of the Regina Police Service. "It is an effective way to investigate property crime. It makes it harder for criminals to get rid of their stolen property."
The Pawn Shop, Buy-Sell and Second-Hand Businesses Legislation discussion paper is available on the website at www.gov.ns.ca/just or by calling 424-5200 in Halifax Regional Municipality, or toll free 1-800-670-4357.
The deadline for comments concerning the discussion paper is August 15, 2006. Comments may be addressed to Pawn Shop, Buy-Sell and Second-Hand Businesses Legislation Review, Legal Services, P.O. Box 216, Halifax, N.S. B3J 2M4. They may also be sent by fax to 1-902-424-5872 or by e-mail to pawnshopdiscussionpaper@gov.ns.ca .