Gainesville Council gives initial okay to pawnshop ordinance

GAINESVILLE - Gainesville's city council has given first-reading approval to an ordinance designed to track stolen goods that wind up at pawnshops.

The proposed ordinance would require pawnshops to keep an electronic database of merchandise and sellers.

Gainesville Police Chief Brian Kelly told council members at a work session last Thursday that the new guidelines would help authorities track down stolen items.

"The intent of this ordinance is to aid and assist in the recovery of stolen property and to aid and assist local law enforcement in fulfilling their public safety functions."

He said it would speed investigations, since investigators now have to examine hand-written reports instead of quickly searching a database.

Three business owners told council members they have concerns about the financial impact such an ordinance might have on their businesses.

The Associated Press contibuted to this article.