(Ottawa) On December 11, 2014, the Ottawa Police Service did an enforcement project targeting illegal activity at local pawn shops/second hand stores.
The Break & Enter Units and Neighbourhood Officers from all three OPS divisions as well as City of Ottawa By-law officers visited 14 pawn shops throughout the City.
The enforcement initiative stemmed from business and resident concerns that stolen property was being sold to pawn/second hand goods shops. The project was conducted to ensure that pawn/second hand good shops were complying with current provincial and By-law rules.
As a result, 48 summonses were issued against a total of 14 businesses and several stolen items were recovered, valued at $4000.00. The offences include charges in relation to proper record maintenance, storage of goods, proper signage, failure to comply with police inspection, and unlawful sale of tobacco products, per City of Ottawa By-laws and the Pawnbrokers Act.