Utica Lays Down Law For Pawnshop and Precious Gem Dealers

Utica will be more stringently regulating pawnbrokers, second-hand dealers, and precious gem dealers who want to move to the city.

“We just put some safeguards in place so that we don’t end up with any negative situations,” said Clerk Cathy McGrail.

Utica passed two ordinances Tuesday, which include tougher regulations on both businesses, and the implementation of a new electronic monitoring program that will regulate the shops sales.

“Mostly those ordinances mirror state law. The only thing we changed is they (shop owners) must report to us electronically,” said Utica Police Chief Dave Faber.

Police chiefs in Macomb County have been working together to get the electronic system in place that would save investigators time while looking into property crimes.

“They (shop owners) will be required to photograph equipment too. Now, we can sit down and hit a few keystrokes to investigate rather than going to every business,” said Faber.

The ordinance will require pawnshop owners, second hand brokers and precious gem dealers to apply, and obtain a license, which would subject them to random investigations and a personal moral character interview with the applicant.

“The pawnshop ordinance basically will give the police a little more info so that we don’t have a lot of less than desirable businesses running around,” said McGrail.

Currently, there are no pawnshops in Utica. However, Faber said there is one applicant waiting for the mayor’s approval.

Faber said there are three precious metal businesses, and another three that buy second hand goods.