Hamilton council asks province to allow limits on number of second-hand shops

Hamilton politicians are asking the province to allow municipalities to put limits on the number of pawnbrokers and second-hand shops in a community.

Councillor Tom Jackson’s motion builds upon a heartbreaking appeal from a resident of Ward 6, who appeared before a city committee last spring and told of trying to recover $50,000 in stolen family heirlooms through cash-for-gold shops.

Jodi Formosi’s story prompted tighter rules for such businesses which must now send weekly lists of their purchases to a Hamilton Police investigator and will identify stolen items, and try to get to them before they disappear.

Jackson said “her horrendous experience” prompted the motion which was approved by Hamilton city council Wednesday evening.

According to Jackson’s motion, there are currently 112 jewelry and precious metals, second-hand goods and pawnbroker businesses operating in Hamilton.