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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories 10 things to know for Friday Emergency Services ODFW director Elicker will step down Mail Tribune 100 City approves Sky Park Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services Fire chars auto repair shop, vehicles Lint build-up likely caused Talent dryer fire American Auto shop damaged by morning fire UPDATED: Medford school bus in crash; no students hurt, officials say Politics and Elections Talent to consider taxing recreational, but not medicinal marijuana Candidate files false statements Just one seat will be contested for Central Point council Gold Hill mayor faces challenger; other races have one candidate each Medford proposes new rules for pawn shops to help nab thieves Education UPDATED: Medford school bus in crash; no students hurt, officials say Free TED talk simulcast in Ashland Bear spotted near Central Point school Eagle Point helps students with first-day jitters Back-to-school shopping can add up Environment ODFW director Elicker will step down Medford hunter's exotic collection goes on sale Elusive owls get new home in Cascades Judge won't block release of water Ashland marchers won't give up on climate change message State news Nation - World Obituaries David Allen Riant Dr. Stephen Edward Drabik Martha M. 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NW Raw Kelly's Crepes Basil & Berries Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW 10 things to know for Friday ... Talent to consider taxing recreational, but not medicinal marijuana ... American Auto shop damaged by morning fire ... 10 things to know for Friday ... Talent to consider taxing recreational, but not medicinal marijuana ... American Auto shop damaged by morning fire ... Medford proposes new rules for pawn shops to help nab thieves City Council may require photos of all pawned items By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 27, 2014 @ 11:39 am By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 27, 2014 @ 11:39 am » Social News Pawn shops could play a larger role in nabbing jewelry thieves if Medford creates new rules requiring the holding of purchases for 15 days instead of the current five. Pawn shops and second-hand stores also would be required to upload photos of all items purchased to the Medford Police Department, under a proposed ordinance. “It’s a pain because it’s going to cost more in employees,” said Noel Blandau, manager of Medford Pawn and Jewelry. “But, if it helps recover stolen items, then we’re all for it.” The City Council will hold a study session at noon, Thursday,  in City Hall, 411 W. Eighth St., to discuss the proposed ordinance but won’t make a decision until after a public hearing at a future date. Currently, shops that buy used jewelry and gold are required to keep the goods for five days, after which it is often melted. Police say they need at least 15 days because the investigation often can take longer than five. The 15-day proposal is a compromise because other Oregon cities require holding for up to 30 days. In 2013, police estimated they had 85 cases of stolen property being sold at local pawn shops or secondhand dealers. This year so far, police say they have received reports of 543 stolen items. Of those, 445 items were recovered from pawn shops and second-hand stores throughout Jackson County. Almost 90 percent of the solved cases, or 382, were run through LeadsOnline, a database system already on the books that police use to find stolen jewelry. Another approximately 5 percent of the cases were reported by the pawn shops themselves and another 5 percent were resolved by the victims who went store-to-store looking for their belongings. Blandau and other pawn brokers say only a fraction of their overall business involves stolen items. They say most crooks put items online for sale or take them to other areas. “Criminals are realizing that we are uploading the information to the police station,” Blandau said. “The dumb criminals will still bring them in and they will still go to jail.” Pawn shops ask customers where they obtained a diamond ring or other jewelry to help gauge whether the seller has a convincing story, he said. Medford police Sgt. Brent Mak said Medford’s five-day retention requirement is the shortest time of any municipality in the state of Oregon. He said it’s important for police to have a longer period of time because it will help resolve more cases. If an item is retrieved by police, the pawn shops lose out on the money they have paid, he said. “They can go after the person who sold it,” he said. Mak said most pawn shop owners understand the reasons why police need photos and a longer period to retain items. “We have a good working relationship with the pawn shops,” he said. Peter Schulzke, owner of Southern Oregon Pawn, said it will cost him $15,000 to $20,000 annually to hire another person to deal with the extra workload of the new ordinance. Out of $330,000 in purchases made annually, Schulzke said he sees only $2,200 to $2,400 in stolen merchandise. “They’re barking up the wrong tree,” he said. Most thieves try to sell their ill-gotten goods online or through some other means, he said. Schulzke said he is a “victim” too if he buys something that is stolen, then has to forfeit it to police. He said he’s also concerned that not every crook trying to sell stolen items locally is prosecuted. Schulzke said drug dealers are the single biggest culprits behind stolen items. “The drug dealers will take these items out of town,” he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow on Twitter at @reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 27, 2014 @ 11:39 am » 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. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. 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