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Pawnbroker's Arrest Followed by Proposed New Laws

Submitted by Guest on Sat, 08/04/2012 - 18:16
Mike Greco

A pawnbroker's arrest is being used by the HPD and the Honolulu prosecutor's office as justification for new laws. Mike Greco, Hawaii state senate candidate, gives his reaction.

by Mike Greco

Greco (R) is running in Senate District 16 (Oahu: Pearl City, Waimalu, Upper Aiea, Aiea Heights, Pacific Palisades) for the Hawaii Senate.

A single incident is being highlighted by HPD and the Prosecutor to call for new laws to regulate and electronically monitor ALL pawnbrokers, secondhand transactions, craigslist sales and swap meet sales!

“HPD wants all pawnbrokers and second hand dealers to use a computerized tracking system for all pawn transactions, making such information readily available to the police” [Honolulu Star-Advertiser]

Dealers support ‘reasonable’ computerization

Hawaii Pawn Brokers Association leader agrees and noted “that there would be a cost to pawn and secondhand dealers” and further noted “it’s the people who [operate] at swap meets, parking lots and online—they’re doing whatever they want”

It seems to me this is an attempt to criminalize or shut down swap meets, farmers markets and Craigslist sales. This looks like an instance of government taking advantage of a single incident to promote a big government agenda and shut down the free market in the name of helping the community and safety. This is particularly troubling because special interests are supporting this to eliminate their competition.

As your state senator, I will aggressively oppose any such legislation.

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