[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee
of the Township of Hazlet 3-16-1982 by Ord. No. 555-82 as Sec. 7-12 of the
1982 Revised General Ordinances (Ch. 249 of the 1993 Code); amended
in its entirety 5-19-2015 by Ord.
No. 1569-15.[1] Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Licensing — See Ch. 209.
[1]
Editor’s Note: This ordinance also amended the title
of this chapter, which was formerly Precious Metals and Gems.
A.
The purpose and intent of this chapter is to assist law enforcement
officials and victims of crime in recovering stolen precious metals
and other secondhand goods by requiring minimum identification, reporting,
maintenance and distribution criteria for licensed dealers in these
goods.
B.
No person shall use, exercise, or carry on the business, trade, or
occupation of the buying, selling, or pawning of precious metals or
other secondhand goods without complying with the requirements of
this chapter in the exact manner described herein.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A current valid New Jersey driver's license or identification
card, a current valid photo driver's license issued by another
United States, state, a valid United States passport, or other verifiable
United States government-issued identification, which will be recorded
on the receipt retained by the dealer and subsequently forwarded to
the local police department or request.
Any person, partnership, limited-liability company, corporation,
or other entity who, either wholly or in part, engages in or operates
any of the following trades or businesses: the buying for purposes
of resale of precious metals, jewelry, or other secondhand goods as
defined herein; pawnbrokers as defined herein; itinerant businesses
as defined herein. For the purposes of this chapter, transient buyers,
as defined herein, are subject to the same licensing and reporting
requirements as any other dealers.
A dealer who conducts business intermittently within the
municipality or at varying locations.
The statutory officer whose duties are defined in N.J.S.A.
40A:9-133 and may refer to the duly appointed Clerk of the city, town,
township, village or borough.
Any person, partnership, association or corporation lending
money on deposit or pledge of personal property, other than choses
in action, securities, or printed evidences of indebtedness; purchasing
personal property on condition of selling it back at a stipulated
price; or doing business as furniture storage warehousemen and lending
money on goods, wares or merchandise pledged or deposited as collateral
security.
Gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and their alloys as defined
in N.J.S.A. 51:5-1 et seq. and 51:6-1 et seq.
Individuals and retail sellers, not to include wholesale
transactions or transactions between other merchants.
Every transaction conducted between a dealer and a member
of the public in which precious metals, jewelry, or any other secondhand
goods as defined herein are purchased or pawned.
Used goods such as antiques, gold, silver, platinum, or other
precious metals, jewelry, coins, gemstones, gift cards, any tools,
telephones, typewriters, word processors, GPS devices, computers,
computer hardware and software, television sets, radios, record or
stereo sets, electronic devices, musical instruments, sporting goods,
automotive equipment, collectibles, game cartridges, DVDs, CDs, and
other electronically recorded material, firearms, cameras and camera
equipment, video equipment, furniture, clothing, and other valuable
articles. For the purposes of this chapter, secondhand goods shall
not include goods transacted in the following manner:
Judicial sales or sales by executors or administrators;
Occasional or auction sales of household goods sold from private
homes;
Auctions of real estate;
The occasional sale, purchase, or exchange of coins or stamps
by a person at his permanent residence or in any municipally owned
building who is engaged in the hobby of collecting coins or stamps
and who does not solicit the sale, purchase, or exchange of such coins
or stamps to or from the general public by billboard, sign, handbill,
newspaper, magazine, radio, television, or other form of printed or
electronic advertising.
A member of the public who sells or pawns used goods such
as precious metal, jewelry, or other secondhand goods to a dealer.
A dealer, as defined herein, who has not been in a registered
retail business continuously for at least six months at any address
in the municipality where the dealer is required to register or who
intends to close out or discontinue all retail business within six
months.
A.
No person, partnership, limited-liability company, corporation, or
other entity shall engage in the business of buying, selling, or pawning
of precious metals or other secondhand goods, as defined above, within
the jurisdiction of the municipality, without having first obtained
a license therefor from the Municipal Clerk, which license shall bear
a number issued by the Municipal Clerk.
B.
The application for a license to the Municipal Clerk shall set forth
the name, date of birth, and address of the dealer, whether or not
he or she is a citizen of the United States, and whether or not he
or she has ever been convicted of any crime(s), disorderly persons
offense(s), or municipal ordinance violation(s), and the date(s) thereof.
C.
Advertising in any print or electronic media or by sign that any of those articles or secondhand goods referred to in § 331-2 above are being bought in any location within the municipality shall constitute engaging in business as a dealer of secondhand goods for purposes of this chapter. No person, partnership, limited-liability company, corporation or other entity shall place or cause to be placed any advertisement for purchase of such articles or goods without stating in the advertising the license number issued to a person or entity by the municipality. In any print advertisement, the license number shall appear in type no smaller than eight-point in the lower-right-hand corner of the advertisement. In any advertisement in electronic media, the license number shall be visually or audibly stated. Failure to state or indicate the license number shall be a violation of this chapter and shall be subject to the penalties established in § 331-9.
D.
Licensees may not operate at any location other than the site specified in the license. Licensees operating at multiple locations must have each location separately licensed. Each location must be permanent. Itinerant businesses and transient buyers, as defined in § 331-2 above, are not eligible for licensure and are prohibited from operating in the Township.
A.
Upon receipt of an application completed pursuant to this chapter,
the Municipal Clerk shall refer such application to the Chief of Police,
who shall make an investigation of the prospective licensee, pursuant
to this chapter for the purpose of determining the suitability of
the applicant for licensing. The investigation shall include, but
shall not be limited to, the following:
(1)
The experience of the applicant in the business of purchase and sale of those articles or goods referred to in § 331-2 above, although nothing in this section shall be construed to warrant denial of a license solely on the basis of lack of experience.
(2)
The reputation of the applicant for fair dealing in the community,
which shall be made among credible sources, which sources shall be
disclosed to the applicant in the event of a denial of any license.
(3)
Any criminal record of the applicant, including any past convictions
for any crime(s), disorderly persons offense(s), or municipal ordinance
violation(s) within this or any other jurisdiction. The Chief of Police
shall, as part of the initial application process and annual renewals,
require fingerprint criminal background checks through the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Justice Information Services Division,
for the applicant and all owners and employees, which may require
payment of additional fees by the applicant.
(4)
The type of operation contemplated to be conducted by the applicant,
particularly whether the business is to be operated from a fixed location,
whether it is to be conducted from a location primarily devoted to
the purchase and sale of precious metal or other secondhand goods,
and other factors bearing on whether the licensed business will be
of a fixed and permanent nature.
B.
The Chief of Police shall complete any investigation pursuant to
this chapter within 30 days of the submission of the application to
the Municipal Clerk, fully completed by the applicant. If a criminal
record check has been requested within the thirty-day period and has
not been received by the Chief of Police within that period, the Chief
of Police may, if all other factors are satisfactory, recommend a
conditional issuance of the license subject to the finding regarding
criminal record.
C.
The Chief of Police shall, upon completion of the investigation,
recommend granting or denial of the license to the Municipal Clerk,
who shall grant or deny the license. Any recommendation of the Chief
of Police shall be in writing and, in the case of a recommendation
of denial, shall state fully and specifically the reasons for said
recommendation. If the Municipal Clerk accepts the recommendation
of the Chief of Police to deny any license, the applicant shall be
notified in writing within 10 days of such denial, and the Clerk shall
forward to the applicant a statement of the reason or reasons for
such denial.
D.
Grounds for recommending denial of license may include reliable information indicating that the applicant has in the past engaged in fraudulent or deceptive business practices in a business identical to or similar to a dealer in secondhand goods. A license may be denied if the investigation reveals a conviction of the applicant or any of its principal officers or employees of any crime(s), disorderly persons offense(s) in which deceit or misrepresentation is an element; or any conviction of any crime(s), disorderly persons offense involving theft or the receiving of stolen goods, regardless of whether the applicant was a principal, accessory before the fact, after the fact, or a coconspirator; or any prior municipal ordinance violation(s) by the applicant or any of its principal officers or employees in this or any other jurisdiction. A license may be denied if the applicant fails to demonstrate an ability to satisfactorily comply with the electronic reporting requirements specified in § 331-5, the retention and inspection requirements of § 331-6, or any other portion of this chapter. Upon receipt of the recommendation of the Chief of Police, the Municipal Clerk shall issue or deny the license accordingly, contingent upon the receipt of a bond as required by § 331-7 of this chapter.
E.
Whenever any application for a permit is denied, the applicant shall
be entitled to a hearing before the Township Attorney or one of the
Assistant Township Attorneys in the Division of Law, or another official
designated by the Township Attorney, at which time the applicant shall
be permitted to introduce such evidence as may be deemed relevant
to such denial. Any applicant exercising the right to appeal must
file a written notice of appeal within 10 days of receiving written
notice of denial of a license to act as a dealer of secondhand goods.
F.
No license shall be assignable by the dealer.
For every reportable transaction between a dealer and the public,
the dealer shall be required to do as follows:
A.
Require of each person selling or pawning precious metals or other secondhand goods acceptable identification as defined above in § 331-2.
B.
Require each seller to execute a declaration of ownership, which
shall contain the following certification: "My signature confirms
that I am the sole legal owner of and am legally authorized to sell
the goods being sold. By signing below I certify that I did not obtain
and do not possess the identified goods through unlawful means. I
am the full age of 18 years and the identification presented is valid
and correct."
C.
Record and issue to each person selling or pawning such goods on
a sequentially numbered receipt:
(1)
The name, address, and telephone number of the purchaser, including
the clerk or employee of the licensee making the purchase;
(2)
The name, address, date of birth, and telephone number of the seller
or sellers;
(3)
A photographed recording of the seller in a format acceptable to
the Chief of Police, along with a physical description of the seller,
including height and weight (approximate), hair color, eye color,
facial hair, if any, etc.;
(4)
A photographed recording of the seller's presented acceptable identification, as set forth in § 331-2, in a format acceptable by the Chief of Police;
(5)
A photographed recording of all items sold in a format acceptable
by the Chief of Police. When photographing, all items must be positioned
in a manner that makes them readily and easily identifiable. Items
should not be grouped together when photographing or imaging. Each
item should have its own photograph;
(6)
The receipt number;
(7)
A detailed, legible description of the item(s) and the manufacturer
and model of the item(s) if known; in the case of jewelry, the descriptions
must include style, length, color, design, and stones, if any; any
identifying marks, including numbers, dates, sizes, shapes, initials,
names, monograms, social security numbers engraved thereon, serial
numbers, series numbers, or any other information, which sets apart
the particular object from others of like kind;
(8)
The price paid for the purchase or pawn of the item(s);
(9)
If precious metals, the net weight in terms of pounds Troy, pennyweight
(Troy) or kilograms/grams; fineness in terms of karats for gold, and
sterling or coin for silver, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 51:5-1 and
51:6-1 et seq.;
(10)
The time and date of the transaction.
D.
The information outlined in Subsection C above must additionally be electronically documented through the use of an electronic database system authorized by the Chief of Police. Installation and training in this software will be made mandatory as of the effective date of this chapter, and licensing will be conditional upon compliance with proper use of the system as described herein. These records shall be subject to the inspection of any authorized police officer or any sworn law enforcement officer acting in the performance of his or her duty as set forth in Subsection F below. Through the use of applicably required computer equipment, and using the electronic format approved by the Chief of Police, every dealer shall enter all reportable transactions into the electronic database by the end of the close of business on the same date as the purchase or receipt of property for pawn or consignment. The information entered must contain all pertinent information outlined in Subsection C above.
E.
In the event of a database failure, or dealer's computer equipment malfunction, all transaction information is required to be submitted on paper forms approved by the Chief of Police within 24 hours from the date of purchase. In the event that paper forms are used, the dealer is responsible to enter all transaction information set forth in Subsection C above into the database as soon as possible upon the dealer's equipment being repaired or replaced, or the database coming back into service. Failure by the dealer to properly maintain computer equipment in a reasonable fashion, or failure by the dealer to replace faulty computer equipment, may result in the dealer being cited for a violation of this chapter and subsequently being subject to the penalties for doing so, including revocation of the dealer's license as described in § 331-6.
F.
It shall be the requisite duty of every dealer, and of every person in the dealer's employ, to admit to the premises during business hours any member of the Police Department to examine any database, book, ledger, or any other record on the premises relating to the reportable transactions of precious metals or other secondhand goods, as well as the articles purchased or received and, where necessary, relinquish custody of those articles as provided in § 331-6.
A.
All precious metals, jewelry, and other secondhand goods purchased, received for pawn, or received for consignment as described above, are to be made available for inspection by the Chief of Police or designee thereof at the designated business address for a period of at least 15 calendar days from the date the transaction information is actually reported to the Chief of Police in the approved manner described above in § 331-5. All precious metal or other secondhand goods subject to inspection must remain in the same condition as when purchased or received for pawn and shall not be sold, disposed of, changed, modified, or melted by the dealer until the fifteen-day retention period has expired. Itinerant businesses and transient buyers will be responsible for notifying the Chief of Police of the location where the purchased item(s) are being held.
B.
Upon probable cause that goods held by a dealer are stolen, and providing that the seller signed the mandatory statement required by § 331-5B upon the sale of those goods, a law enforcement officer with jurisdiction should charge the seller with theft by deception under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4 on behalf of the dealer, who shall be considered the victim of the offense for the purposes of N.J.S.A. 2C:43-3. The officer shall seize the goods, provide the dealer with a receipt, and issue a criminal complaint against the seller for theft by deception and any other criminal charges for which the officer has probable cause that the seller has committed. If convicted of theft by deception and if so found by an order of a court of valid jurisdiction, the seller will be responsible for providing restitution to the dealer under N.J.S.A. 2C:44-2 for the amount paid by the dealer to the seller for the stolen goods.
C.
In addition to all other reporting requirements, every dealer shall maintain, for at least five years, a paper record of all purchases of precious metals and other secondhand goods in the form prescribed in § 331-5C.
D.
No dealer shall purchase any item covered by this chapter from any
person under the age of 18 or in the absence of providing prior notification
of such purchase to the Chief of Police or business designee identifying
the individual from whom such purchase is to be made and the item
to be purchased.
E.
Suspension. The Chief of Police or a designee thereof is hereby empowered to temporarily suspend for cause any dealer's license and rights to operate thereunder. This penalty shall be in addition to any fines and penalties the dealer may incur pursuant to § 331-9 of this chapter.
(1)
Grounds for suspension. The following shall constitute grounds for
suspension: violation of any provisions of this chapter, including
failure to comply with any training or fees associated with the electronic
database software system in use by the municipality; violation of
any other statute, regulation, or local ordinance; or any other illegal,
improper, or fraudulent activity.
(2)
Procedure for suspension. Upon determination that appropriate grounds exist and that a suspension is warranted, the Chief of Police or a designee thereof shall issue a written notice of suspension of license to the offending dealer and to the Municipal Clerk, which shall set forth the grounds for the suspension and notify the dealer of his or her right to appeal pursuant to Subsection G. A temporary suspension shall issue immediately, pending the outcome of any appeal taken. Suspended dealers must immediately cease engaging in the business of purchasing for resale, receiving for pawn, and/or selling of precious metals and/or other secondhand goods in the municipality until reinstatement.
(3)
Reinstatement. Suspended dealers may be reinstated only when the
grounds leading to the suspension have, in the determination of the
Township Attorney, Assistant Township Attorney, or other official
designated by the Township Attorney to review the grounds for suspension,
been cured, corrected, or appropriately rectified.
F.
Revocation. A license issued under this chapter may be revoked by the Municipal Clerk upon written recommendation from the Chief of Police or the Chief's designee that the dealer is no longer qualified, capable or competent to comply with the requirements of this chapter. This penalty shall be in addition to any fines and penalties the dealer may incur under § 331-9.
(1)
Grounds for revocation. The following shall constitute grounds for
revocation:
(a)
A third violation under this chapter;
(b)
A second violation under this chapter less than one year after
an earlier violation under this chapter;
(c)
Conviction for a criminal offense within this or any jurisdiction;
or
(d)
Multiple violations of any other regulations or local ordinances
within this or any jurisdiction.
(2)
Procedure for revocation. Upon a determination that appropriate grounds
exist and that a revocation is warranted, the Chief of Police or the
Chief's designee shall so report to the Municipal Clerk in writing.
A temporary suspension will immediately and automatically issue, if
one is not already in effect, pending the outcome of the charge. The
Township Attorney, Assistant Township Attorney, or other official
designated by the Township Attorney shall review the stated grounds
for revocation and shall issue an appropriate disposition of either
suspension, revocation, or reinstatement. If it is determined that
revocation is the appropriate disposition, the grounds therefor shall
be set forth in writing in the form of a notice of revocation, which
shall be provided to the dealer. The notice shall advise the dealer
of the right to appeal. If determined that suspension is the appropriate
disposition, the dealer shall be so notified in writing and shall
be advised of the right to appeal. Following revocation, the dealer
must relinquish his or her license and must immediately and indefinitely
cease operating as a dealer of precious metals or other secondhand
goods within the municipality.
G.
Appeal. Any applicant wishing to appeal a suspension or revocation shall be entitled to a hearing as provided in § 331-4E. Any applicant exercising the right to appeal must file a written notice of appeal within 10 days of receiving written notice of revocation or suspension of license.
H.
A dealer shall have the right to change the location of the licensed
business, provided that he or she notifies the Municipal Clerk, in
writing, of the street address of said new location.
Each dealer covered under this chapter shall deliver a bond
to the Municipal Clerk executed by the applicant as principal and
executed by a surety company authorized to do business under the laws
of the State of New Jersey as surety. The bond shall be subject to
review and approval by the Municipal Attorney, as defined in N.J.S.A.
40A:9-139, and shall be in the penal sum of $10,000, conditioned for
the due and proper observance of and compliance with the provisions
and requirements of all ordinances of the municipality in force or
which may be adopted respecting the conduct of this business and conditioned
also that the bond shall be and remain for the benefit of any person
or persons who shall have received judgment against the dealer licensed
under this chapter, which damage shall be established by a judgment
of a court of proper jurisdiction. Said bond shall contain the following
language: "The obligation of this bond shall, in addition to the Township
of Hazlet, be and remain for the benefit of any person who shall obtain
a judgment against the obligor as a result of damage sustained in
operation pursuant to any license granted under this chapter." Said
bond shall be kept for a minimum of one year from the date of issuance
of license and must be renewed annually along with the license.
A.
A nonrefundable fee for initial application and license for a pawnbroker or a dealer in precious metals or other secondhand goods, as covered under this chapter, is $200. The annual renewal fee for a license is $100. These fees are separate from and in addition to any fees the dealer must pay in relation to the mandatory electronic database system designated by the Chief of Police, as provided by § 331-5D. Payments are to be made in the manner directed by the Municipal Clerk.
B.
Licenses issued pursuant to this chapter are valid for one year,
from January 1 through December 31. Initial applications and applications
for renewal must be submitted no later than October 1.
Violation of any provision of this chapter by any dealer shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not in excess of the limitations of N.J.S.A. 40:49-5 or by a term of imprisonment or a period of community service not exceeding 90 days in addition to a suspension or revocation of operating license as provided in § 331-6E and F above. Each and every violation shall be considered a separate violation. Each violation shall result in an additional suspension period. Any person who is found guilty of violating the provisions of this chapter within one year of the date of a previous violation and who was fined for the previous violation may be sentenced by the court to an additional fine as a repeat offender and, in addition, may be subject to revocation proceedings as provided in § 331-6F. The additional fine imposed as a repeat offender shall not be less than the minimum or exceed the maximum fine provided herein, and same shall be calculated separately from the fine imposed for the violation of this chapter.
A.
Effective August 1, 2015, no existing licensee may continue to operate
without having been licensed pursuant to this chapter.
B.
Nothing contained in this chapter is intended to replace any preexisting
statutory requirements governing pawnbrokers, as in N.J.S.A. 45:22-1
et seq., the sale of precious metals as in N.J.S.A. 51:6A-1 et seq.,
the sale of secondhand jewelry as in N.J.S.A. 2C:21-36 et seq., or
any other statutory provision regarding any subject matter discussed
herein.
