Calexico Municipal Code Ch. 5.68 Pawnbrokers

"Pawnbroker" means any person, corporation, partnership or business entity within the city who loans money on deposits of personal property or deals in the purchase or possession of personal property on condition of selling the same back again to the pledgor or depositor, or who loans or advances money on personal property by taking chattel mortgage security thereon, and takes or receives such personal property into his possession.

(Ord. 603 § 1 (part), 1966: prior code § 2180)

Every person, partnership, corporation or business entity who proposes to engage in the business of a pawnbroker, in addition to any and all other applications required by this code, must register with the Calexico police department prior to the undertaking of such business. Every such person, partnership, corporation or business entity is required to have a permit issued under the provisions of this chapter prior to the time of engaging in the pawnbroking business.

(Ord. 603 § 1 (part), 1966: prior code § 2181)

The police department shall prepare a form for an identification record, which every person coming within the provisions of this chapter shall truthfully fill out and complete. The application shall require such information as the chief of police of the city may determine from time to time to be necessary to form a complete identification record.

(Ord. 603 § 1 (part), 1966: prior code § 2182)

All persons coming within the provisions of this chapter shall be fingerprinted by the Calexico police department without cost, as a condition preceding to the obtaining of any permit to carry on or conduct any business referred to in this chapter.

(Ord. 603 § 1 (part), 1966: prior code § 2183)

The chief of police of the city may require the applicant for a pawnbroker's license to furnish photographs as necessary or desirable for the purposes of identification.

(Ord. 603 § 1 (part), 1966: prior code § 2184)

Within ten days after completing the identification record, fingerprinting and submission of photographs, the chief of police or his duly authorized deputy shall issue a permit to the applicant coming within the provisions of this chapter; provided further, however, the chief of police shall withhold the issuance of any such permit if he receives an unfavorable identification record or history, and the chief of police shall refer said applicant to the city council who shall determine whether or not such permit may be granted. The issuance of any such permit does not waive the requirements of any other permit or license required under the provisions of this code. The chief of police or his duly authorized deputy is authorized to waive the ten-day period and to issue a permit at any earlier time if adequate, favorable reports on the applicant are received.

(Ord. 603 § 1 (part), 1966: prior code § 2185)

Every pawnbroker shall report daily on a form prescribed by the chief of police all descriptions of all property received in pawn or purchased as secondhand merchandise, in whatever quantity received, including property purchased as secondhand merchandise at wholesale, secondhand merchandise taken in for sale or possessed on consignment for sale, and secondhand merchandise taken in trade; provided, however, that no such report need be made concerning property or merchandise acquired from another pawnbroker in a transaction involving the purchase or other acquisition from the other pawnbroker of his stock in trade or a substantial part thereof in bulk, where the other pawnbroker has made the reports required by this section with respect to that property or merchandise. The reports required by this section shall contain such information as the chief of police may from time to time designate and require. Failure to file said reports shall constitute grounds for revocation of the permit required by Section 5.68.020.

(Ord. 603 § 1 (part), 1966: prior code § 2186)

A police officer may place a hold order upon property acquired by a pawnbroker in the course of his business for a period of thirty days and, upon release of such property, may require such pawnbroker to keep a record of the disposition of such property. It is unlawful for any person to dispose of any property contrary to any hold order issued by a police officer.

(Ord. 603 § 1 (part), 1966: prior code § 2187)

In addition to such other penalties or civil remedies available, violation of any provision of this chapter constitutes a misdemeanor.

(Ord. 603 § 1 (part), 1966: prior code § 2188)