The Moorestown Police Department is hoping to use new technology to track stolen items.
Moorestown Council approved an ordinance on Monday, April 8, allowing police to regulate activities of dealers in precious metals, gems and secondhand goods.
According to Lt. Lee Lieber, Maryland and Delaware are currently using the program. It is beginning to appear in New Jersey municipalities such as Cherry Hill, Voorhees and Evesham.
He said this “cutting-edge” program would allow detectives to locate stolen goods that are sold to secondhand shops. Additionally, Lieber said detectives would spend a few days going from shop to shop trying to locate stolen items.
Secondhand shop owners would register and track purchases by taking photos of purchased items and enter it into the database.
Councilwoman Victoria Napolitano was concerned about the cost burden a program like this might have on storeowners. Lieber said other systems the department looked into would put more of a burden on businesses.
“This is a real small burden as to what we will gain from it,” he said.
Lieber said any shop in Moorestown that purchases secondhand items is required to register, paying a $300 per year fee for the program’s operation.
“We had been looking for quite some time at instituting some type of system. This system, within the past year, has come to light. We don’t want to burden the businesses in the present financial climate,” he said.
The police department is deciding when the program will take effect.
“It’s not only going to help us, it’s going to help give peace of mind to residents,” Lieber said.
