Westfield rolls out stricter reporting rules for resale shops

Resale stores have new requirements in Westfield.

The Westfield City Council approved an ordinance Monday night that requires those businesses to report transactions to police and regulates how details of purchases must be tracked.

The ordinance applies to any pawn shop, secondhand dealer, metal-recycling entity, secondhand metal dealer or valuable metal dealer selling items such as jewelry, office equipment, household goods, electronics, tools and coins.

The businesses will now have to report any transaction within 24 hours to LeadsOnline, which is a nationwide database that allows police agencies to access information supplied by pawnshops and secondhand dealers. According to its website, more than 766 million transactions have been added to the system.

Businesses can register with LeadsOnline for free.

Westfield Chief of Police Joel Rush told the council the requirements will help the agency investigate theft cases.

“In my opinion, it aides to the legitimacy and efficiency of the business,” Rush said.

The stores must submit the date and time of the transaction; a description of the item purchased, which could include serial or model numbers; the cost of the goods; and information about the seller.

In addition to providing the full name, address, phone number, date of birth, driver’s license or state-issued identification number and photo of the seller, the shops also are required to scan the right thumb of the individual and upload it to LeadsOnline.

If the item doesn’t have a serial number and is worth more than $25, the store must include a photo of it.

Rush said Fishers has similar regulations in place, and Carmel is duplicating an ordinance from the Westfield version.

“Most of our businesses that fall under this ordinance are already using LeadsOnline,” Rush said.

Westfield doesn’t have any pawnshops yet, but there are several secondhand shops and antique stores in the city. If a business doesn’t comply with the regulations, it can be issued a $500 fine.

No one from the public spoke about the ordinance at the meeting.