Law Director Les Landen gave an overview of the proposal that may require dealers to pay a $100 annual license fee, undergo criminal background checks, record and report all of their transactions to police, limit operating hours and have tougher identification standards for patrons.
The proposal is the result of a city task force established by City Manager Judy Gilleland to ensure these businesses are reputable and to crack down on fencing, or the receiving or selling of stolen property.
Dan Blankenship, owner of D & D Swap Shop on South University Boulevard, called the proposal, “a crock.”
“They’re trying to run the swap shops out of business,” Blankenship said. “We’re not a pawn shop. This is ridiculous. They’re imposing unfair restrictions so we have no choice but to close.”
Blankenship said no one from the city contacted him about the proposal.
In his three years in business, he has never had any problems with police.
“I consider this a slap in the face in what they’re trying to do,” he said.
Gilleland said the city will be talking to second-hand store owners as the ordinance is developed.
“The message we want to send is that if you’re going to do business in Middletown, make sure you’re reputable,” Gilleland said.
LaSheila Chambers, co-owner of Another Time, a second-hand store on Central Avenue, also said she also hadn’t been contacted by the city.
“I don’t understand why they didn’t talk to us before,” Chambers said. “It’s crazy. It’s ludicrous.”
Chambers said her business opened in March 2008 and has never had any problems with police and her only scrape with city was over a sidewalk sign.
“The question is: Does Middletown want business or not?’ Chambers said. “This ain’t the only town to do business in.”
About the Author
