This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Limerick
Township Pawnbrokers Ordinance."
It is the specific intent of this chapter to promote the safety,
morals and general welfare of the inhabitants of Limerick Township
in their person and property by holding pawnbrokers accountable for
the proper reporting procedures deemed necessary by the Police Department
to assist in recovering the stolen property of its inhabitants.
In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter,
minimum requirements for the promotion of the public safety, comfort,
convenience and general welfare shall be followed. Where the provisions
of this chapter impose greater restrictions than those of any statute,
other ordinance or regulation, the provisions of this chapter shall
be controlling. Where the provisions of any statute, other ordinance
or regulation impose greater restrictions than this chapter, the provisions
of such statute, other ordinance or regulation shall be controlling.
The following words and phrases, when used in this chapter,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:
APPLICANT
Any individual, partnership, association, business corporation,
nonprofit corporation, common-law trust, joint-stock company or any
group of individuals, however organized, applying for a license to
act as a pawnbroker under this chapter and/or any person appearing
as owner, partner, officer, director, trustee or other official of
a partnership, association, business corporation, nonprofit corporation,
common-law trust, joint-stock company or any group of individuals,
however organized, on such application for license under this chapter.
IDENTIFICATION
A valid identification document issued by a state or federal
government, bearing a photograph and containing identifying data such
as name, date of birth, gender, physical description, and current
address of the person bearing the card, and, if available, at least
one other corroborating means of identification; otherwise, identification
sufficient to reliably establish the person's true identity.
PAWNBROKER
Any person who:
A.
Engages in the business of lending money on the deposit or pledge
of personal property, securities or written evidences of indebtedness;
B.
Purchases personal property with an expressed or implied agreement
or understanding to sell back at a subsequent time at a stipulated
price; or
C.
Lends money upon goods, wares or merchandise pledged, stored
or deposited as collateral security.
PAWNBROKING
The business of a pawnbroker, as defined in this chapter.
PERSON
An individual, partnership, association, business corporation,
nonprofit corporation, common-law trust, joint-stock company or any
group of individuals, however organized.
PLEDGE
An article or articles deposited with a pawnbroker as security
for a loan in the course of his/her business as defined in this chapter.
PLEDGER
The person who obtains the loan from a pawnbroker and delivers
a pledge into the possession of a pawnbroker, unless such person discloses
that he/she is or was acting for another, in which case "pledger"
means the disclosed principal.
WORKING DAYS
Weekdays Monday through Friday, but not including national
holidays.
A pawnbroker may seize any property offered in the pledge which
he/she has reason to believe is stolen property. The pawnbroker shall
issue a seizure receipt to the person presenting such property in
pledge and shall immediately deliver the seized property, together
with a copy of the seizure receipt, to the Limerick Township Police
Department. If property is identified as stolen by the Police Department,
such property shall be held until there is a final resolution as to
the ownership of the property; or in the case of an individual claiming
ownership, the pawnbroker shall immediately notify the Police Department,
and such property shall be held until there is a final resolution
as to the ownership of the property. A property receipt for the pledge
seized and held as such shall be issued to the pawnbroker by the Police
Department.
A pawnbroker shall not accept a pledge from any person under
the age of 18 years.