Stolen Property, Voter ID on Golden Valley Council Agenda

When the Golden Valley City Council meets Tuesday, they plan to take a vote that could make it easier for crime victims to get stolen merchandise back.  They also may take a symbolic stand on a proposed constitutional amendment.

The council is considering requiring pawn shops and precious metals dealers to electronically  report each transaction to police the day they happen.

"Electronic entry of transactions allows law enforcement to easily track sales and purchases and also to search the database for specific items," said Golden Valley Police Commander Nathan Gove in a memo to the council.  "An electronic database would aid investigations into crimes involving stolen property and would also allow law enforcement to monitor the activities of known criminals."

Commander Gove said the change would also save time staff spends "compiling and scanning transaction receipts."

The council also plans to take up an issue its citizens will vote on in November: a constitutional amendment requiring voters to show a photo ID.

"At the Council/Manager meeting on June 12, Council asked staff to bring forth a resolution for opposing the Constitutional Amendment Question," said City Finance Director Sue Virnig in a memo.

The proposed resolution cites arguments by the League of Women Voters in its opposition to the amendment.  Click here to read it.

Virnig notes that similar resolutions have been approved in Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Louis Park, and Blue Earth County.