HomeMy Public PortalAboutRES 99/02RESOLUTION 99 -2
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF
GULF STREAM, FLORIDA, IN SUPPORT OF A REQUEST FOR
THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO ENACT NEW LAWS REGULATING
PAWNBROKERS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the pawnbrokers /second hand dealers within the
State of Florida have expanded rapidly over the last few
years; and
WHEREAS, the State Legislature enacted State statute
539 regulating pawnbrokers on a Statewide basis under the
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; and
WHEREAS, in Florida statute 539 the State superceded
all previous local laws and restricted the ability of local
governments to enact new laws pertaining to pawnbrokers; and
WHEREAS, pawnbrokers knowingly or unknowingly deal in
stolen property; and
WHEREAS, to reduce crime, arrest criminals, keep
updated records and assist victims in recovering stolen
item; an amendment to Florida statute 539 is necessary.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COMMISSION
OF THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM, FLORIDA THAT:
Section 1. The Town Commission of the Town of Gulf
Stream, Florida, hereby supports a request for the State
legislature to
enact new laws regulating pawnbrokers with
the following
recommendations:
A.
Restoring property rights to victims
(Changes in the statute allowing for easier
recovery of stolen property by victims. The
Statute makes recovery of stolen property
difficult, time consuming and expensive for
victims. The Statute should be changed to
give victims back the rights to their stolen
property).
B.
Removing conflicting provisions in Florida
statute
530.001 (Existing Florida statute states in
part that... "Any county or municipality may
enact ordinances that are in compliance with,
but not more restrictive than this
section "...This should be changed so that
counties and municipalities can enact more
restrictive laws if deemed necessary).
C.
Provide criminal penalties for repeated
record keeping violations (Many pawnbrokers
have repeatedly provided incorrect
information on transactions to law
enforcement). This statutory amendment will
provide for a felony charge for pawnbrokers
who have been convicted three times for
knowingly providing false information).
Section 2. Copies of this Resolution shall be
forwarded to the Florida League of Cities, Inc., the Palm
Beach County League of Cities and the Palm Beach County
Legislative Delegation.
Section 3. This resolution shall become effective
immediately upon its passage.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 12th day of March 1998.
-V
AYO
(SEAL)
ATTEST:
v
TOWN CLERK
TOWN OF GULF STREAM
COMMISSIONER