The santa cruz police department has announced that officers are preparing to start cracking down next week, on merchants that are unlicensed for second-hand sales. The enforcement effort against illegal pawn shops, music stores, and other stores (that buy and sell goods from customers), comes as the department has reported an increase of thefts and burglaries in recent months. Citations will be issued to offenders; 15-hundred dollars for the first violation, 5-thousand for a second, and a 25-thousand dollar fine for a 3rd violation. The goal of the enforcement is to have all such second-hand shops obtain permits by next year. That will put them in compliance with licensed pawn shops, which scan photo i.d.’s, delay sales, and provide documentation, in case an item is stolen.
