The Age of Technology for Pawn Shops

Oct. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- Pawn Shops in Florida have always been one of the most heavily regulated businesses, and even twenty-five years ago this was no exception. However, before the age of technology local regulation and enforcement was not as effective as it is today. Before computers were introduced into the pawn industry, most stores were still handwriting pawn tickets. In order to regulate Pawn Shops, local law enforcement performed regular walkthroughs of stores in their jurisdictions visually scanning inventory, and monitoring paperwork by hand. This work was both tedious and time consuming. It used valuable law enforcement resources and interrupted daily business at local Pawn Shops.
Over the next twenty-five years, the propagation of computer software specifically designed for the Pawn industry benefited both law enforcement and Pawn Brokers. With today’s technology, law enforcement use specially designed computer software that automatically searches through daily or weekly transaction uploads from Pawn Shops. Although less than 2% of all items pawned or purchased are reported stolen, these systems still help to recover property and convict criminals.
The diligence of one local chain of stores Gold N Connection, a South Florida based chain of Pawn Shops, has a tradition of maintaining and following regulations and laws that have come to the aid of local law enforcement and victims. Coupled with detailed itemized lists, descriptive paperwork, thumbprints and video surveillance systems; the computerized systems used by Gold N Connection legitimize every transaction they perform. “Most thieves take great care to avoid bringing stolen property into Pawn Shops” said one store Manager, “Due to our hard work in following State regulations we rarely ever see stolen property.” According to local law enforcement officials, if caught, accused thieves will most likely face a prosecutor armed with a pawn contract bearing the thief’s thumbprint and signature, a witness statement from the Pawnbroker, and a surveillance video of the transaction. High conviction rates in stolen property cases involving Pawn Shops have demonstrated the diligence and hard work of pawnbrokers across the nation.
The Pawn Shop industry has come a long way from its beginnings. With the popularity of television show like “Pawn Stars”, and “Hardcore Pawn”, the American public gets to have a firsthand look inside this time old and honorable profession. The general perception of local Pawn Shops has changed from that of seedy, dirty shops buying stolen goods, to the reality of hardworking, honest businesses that exist to help the local community when financial times are tight. Pawn shops have been brought from the back alley way to Main Street and will continue to grow and serve the needs of the public. Local Pawnbrokers like the staff of Gold N Connection are members of your community, and are there to provide a valuable service with a friendly, caring and professional manner.