Revere ordinance puts restrictions on pawn shops

REVERE – Secondhand dealers in Revere will officially have to hold items sold to them for 15 days and also digitally document and photo ID every item as well.The ordinance, which was presented by members of the police department last week, was passed at Monday night?s City Council meeting with 11-0 vote in favor of the ordinance.The police department had originally hoped for a 30-day waiting period but the council thought that was too tough a restriction on business owners.?I am in favor of turning it from 30 days to 15 days,” Councilor at large John R. Correggio said. “Now, at least the police have a tool to keep on top of gold and jewelry out there and protect the public.”Many of the councilors thought maintaining a digital record and a photo ID was a step in the right direction.?A photo ID goes a long way,” Ward 3 Councilor Arthur Guinasso said.?It should take business owners no more than five minutes to do this,” Councilor at large George Rotondo added.However, business owner Tom Yourawski disagreed. Yourawski owns the popular Jewelry Box on Broadway.Yourawski was not in favor of keeping digital records. “We don?t know anything about computers. Sure, our grandchildren can come over and help us when need be but we are not computer people,” Yourawski said.Currently, he has people sign a form stating that this is in fact their jewelry and makes a copy of their license. “If they don?t have a ID, we don?t take it,” Yourawski said.?Now, you are making me go to the person who does the books and doesn?t know anything about computers and be like ?you?re fired,?” Yourawski pleaded with the council.He was also worried that with the new ordinance he must keep recently bought items at the store at all times during that 15-day holding period. He believes it will make his store a target for robberies because it lets people know that they have precious metals in their possession.?I have to now tell the people that work for me to go get a gun license,” Yourawski said. “This is getting too risky.”Despite the pleas from Yourawski, the council ultimately voted for the ordinance.?This gives the public better protection.” Correggio said.Sara Brown can be reached at [email protected].