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UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES Medford's second-hand law gets a second look Ordinance requires photos of all used items purchased, even clothes Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 23, 2015 at 5:51 PM Updated Feb 23, 2015 at 11:27 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 23, 2015 at 5:51 PM Updated Feb 23, 2015 at 11:27 PM » Social News Second-hand dealers are alarmed at an unintended consequence of a new Medford ordinance that was aimed at pawn shops but also forces other outlets to take photos of used clothing, even for a pair of socks worth less than $1. “I will have to shut this store down if they don’t amend this ordinance,” said Kori Forney, owner of Kid to Kid of Medford, a used children's clothing store on Poplar Drive. Starting March 22, the city will require pawn shops and secondhand dealers to take photos of anything of value, though the ordinance doesn’t specify a minimum dollar amount. The ordinance met with opposition from pawn shops but many second-hand dealers were unaware the new law would apply to them as well. Kid to Kid of Medford and Runway Fashion Exchange, also on Poplar, have both protested the ordinance because it would force them to take photos of thousands of items each month, upload them to a police database, and then store the items during a 15-day holding period. Forney said the average price for an item purchased by her store is $1.12, and she can receive up to 10,000 items a month. The Medford City Council approved the new ordinance Dec. 18, 2014, but is now considering amending it because of complaints received from second-hand stores. Forney said she understands the desire of police to catch more crooks, but said she would have to increase her staff size to handle the requirements of the ordinance. Kid to Kid has shelves filled with small items as well as a storeroom full of clothing and other goods. Parents routinely bring in boxes filled with clothing and other items they sell as their kids grow older. Forney, who runs the store with her husband, Michael Forney, said the city did not contact second-hand stores such as hers to alert them about the new ordinance until after it was passed. “Where is the due diligence?” she asked. She said her store is more often the victim of thieves who try to make off with used clothing or, in one case, an employee’s phone. Forney said the police seem reluctant to investigate low-dollar crimes. Medford police Chief Tim George said he disagrees that police are reluctant to investigate some theft cases. “We have cited someone for a $10 theft,” he said. George said he wants to sit down with the owners of Kid to Kid and Runway and arrive at a reasonable way to help identify items that might have been stolen. “I don’t think we’re as concerned with used clothing,” he said. “I’m more concerned about new items.” George said second-hand stores can unwittingly end up assisting thieves, who will want cash rather than store credit for the goods they pilfered. George said methamphetamine and heroin addicts often steal new items from retail stores and then try to sell them elsewhere to pay for their habit. "You have to ask yourself, who would sell brand-new stuff at 10 percent on the dollar when they could return it to the store for full credit?" he said. "Cash is the reason, and drug addicts need cash." George said better reporting from used-clothing stores, particularly for higher-dollar purchases, would help police track down crooks. “We’re trying to prevent retail theft,” he said. “We’re trying to have an impact on the theft problem in this community.” The ordinance applies to businesses that purchase used goods for resale or that put them on consignment. It does not apply to organizations that resell donated items, such as Goodwill. Shawn DeBoer, vice president of Rogue Valley Loss Prevention Association, said the problem of people stealing from local retailers has been on the rise for more than a year. "We've had lots and lots of thefts at multiple retail locations," DeBoer said. A woman recently stole 10 pairs of jeans on two separate occasions from a Medford retailer and then sold them at a second-hand store, he said. More cooperation between these stores and other retailers would help reduce thefts, he said. In most cases, the thief takes off the tags before trying to sell the items, DeBoer said. "They're getting smarter, and we have to step up our security measures," he said. Brandon Cox, owner of Runway Fashion Exchange, which caters to young people older than 12, said he’s optimistic that something can be worked out with the city. “What they’re really trying to do is hit those big-ticket items like guitars or guns,” he said. He said he could understand the need to take photos of goods valued at more than $100, but not for small items that cost a few dollars. “A lady brought in two boxes of clothes today,” he said Friday. “We took in 40 things and gave her $50.” Under the new ordinance, Cox would be required to take photos of each item and put the information in a database for police. Cox said his employees are on the alert for people who bring in new items that still have the tags on. If the same customer keeps coming in, his employees will contact Medford police or check out the person’s information online. Councilor Daniel Bunn said it is often difficult for the council to foresee all unintended consequences when it approves a new ordinance. Bunn said Medford police try to be responsive to theft reports, but he recommends that businesses and individuals use an online crime reporting system available through the city’s website. To access it, go to www.ci.medford.or.us, find the Police Department listing under city departments, then click the "Report a crime" button on the top right side of the police page. Bunn said he uses the system for his own property management company. Bunn said city staffers have begun working on a solution that should help the used-clothing stores avoid the expensive option of taking photos of every item purchased. “The good thing is, we should be able to fix it for them,” he said. “I would bet we see an amendment coming in short order.” Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/reporterdm .   By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 23, 2015 at 5:51 PM Updated Feb 23, 2015 at 11:27 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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