Ellettsville Pawn Shops must Send Sales Data to Town Police

Pawn shops in Ellettsville now have to send their sales data to the Town police at the same time they provide it to a nationwide law enforcement database. The Town Council passed second-hand dealer regulations late last year. Afterwards, there was dispute about how quickly businesses must report certain information. Town attorney Darla Brown proposed an amendment to the new ordinance September 8th. Similar rules apply to stores that buy and sell valuable metals. Last December the Council passed a law forcing the shops to report their sales to a private company that shares information with police across the country. The goal is to help solve cases of theft. But some residents worry sharing the data could compromise the privacy of customers.