Protests Against a Pawn Shop on Franklin
The Crow Hill Community Association sent us a petition against a pawn shop looking to move into 641-649 Franklin Avenue in Crown Heights, within the same building of the laundromat on Franklin and Park. They point out the illegal construction happening there, its proximity to a drug and alcohol rehab facility, and the feeling that…
The Crow Hill Community Association sent us a petition against a pawn shop looking to move into 641-649 Franklin Avenue in Crown Heights, within the same building of the laundromat on Franklin and Park. They point out the illegal construction happening there, its proximity to a drug and alcohol rehab facility, and the feeling that “this pawn shop will encourage theft.” The petition also points out that it will “degrade the atmosphere of the street” and is a “recipe for disaster.” Commenters on Brooklynian noted an impromptu protest happened last Thursday outside the storefront. But as one commenter puts it, “I do actually agree that a pawn shop is likely not the best fit for this area, but really, where is the line drawn? Do we protest the 24-hour chicken place, because corner dealers may decide to get some wings at 3:am? Subways run 24/7 in this town, I bet certain types of miscreants make use of it. Let’s boycott subways as well.”
This is a great idea. The way things r going we need all the help we can get. Some of us r really struggling through all the layoffs and cutbacks that we r barely making ends meat. This Bob seems like a professional who will not entertain thieves. Looks more to me like he is opening opportunities to the community that live in the neighborhood to get through all of NYC increases through out the years. M.T.A ask for more money and gives us less security. What about the tolls; give me a break. Even the Yellow Taxi surcharges go to support the M.T.A; and what do they offer us an intercom. You guys really want to protest and make a difference then Do it where it counts. Down at City Hall. Where we need your voices more than ever.
Crime has increase in the past 5 years but not due to Pawnshops. Let’s look at the real picture. Crime is up by 70% due to real estate increase, Fare increase, War, Government oblivious spending, the deficit, Layoffs in the Subway system, Bus eliminations, closing of Firehouses. Police officer cut backs. Even our school percentage rate is 19%. They wanted to eliminate transportation for the students when I went to school I had a pass. When did it have a value to it. Our unemployment hits sky rocket this year. Why? Not because the Pawnshops but because; We don’t utilize our energy and brains in that right direction.
Pawn shops r not as dirty as people make it out to b. If you look at it they r appraisal shops. They will be able to tell you if what u have is worth what u paid. They also provide a service for a minimum charge and would be able to offer you a loan on your collateral. I know plenty of people who don’t wear any of their beautiful jewelry from the 20’s and 30’s called old gold because of the crime rate. They r afraid of getting robbed. The banks r giving everyone a hard time for a small loans ever since they got their grants from the government. Credit card interest rates r higher. So maybe the elderly would like their stuff safe and borrow money against there gold on the spot while its at $1200. The highest it’s ever been. They r elderly, retired, and r struggling now more than ever to live in NYC. This pawnshop things is not a bad idea.
Big Jugs- and I knew that if a moronic comment was to be had, it would come from you. You were born confused- your brain is not the part you sit on. Except in your case. Which is why you are an ass.
supersleuth – I live in CHN, so I do know the neighborhood.
Jack Jeebs: “Let’s make it happen, Cap’n!”
I think this is great. They were smart to locate this adjacent to the drug rehab. That way, when the clients relapse (which they often do), they will surrender to temptation and sell their prized items for a fix. That will make the owners money and create jobs. It’s the American way.
Funny, before I even clicked on this thread, I knew that the long-winded MM/Bxgrl robot would have at least one verbose, NormanOderesque post. Not surprisingly, I was proven correct.
Pawn shops are pretty regulated. I’m not sure if it’s still the case, but they used to have to hang onto things for 30 days to make sure that they weren’t stolen and the police can go in at anytime and check inventory, the owners can’t refuse to let them in. Pawn shops in Baltimore (not sure if NY is the same) actually have to send in a list once a month of everything that they bought, which gets checked against crime reports. Stolen property not only gets confiscated, which means that the owner is out whatever he or she spent for the item, but they can’t buy unless the seller has legal I.D., so it’s easy to track down who stole it. I think the profit margin on pawn shops is so good to begin with that most shops don’t want to risk getting into trouble and loosing their license. That being said, I wouldn’t be thrilled to live next to one, the bottom line is that in most cases, they are taking advantage of human suffering.
“Otherwise, a pawnshop is not an inherently dangerous business that needs to be monitored.”
In this neighborhood it is a business that needs to be monitored. This isn’t Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights or the UES.
It is apparent that most if not all of the commenters do not live in this neighborhood. I do, and think I have a somewhat better understanding of the concerns of the CHCA and my other neighbors. Our neighborhood is rife with drug dealing (which, as it happens, occurs largely during the day rather than at night, in response to the comment about the 24-hour chicken place). To my knowledge, muggings and burglary have not to date been as big of a problem. However, given the numbers of drug addicts coming through the area to score, the presence of a pawn shop would lead to a reasonable apprehension that the addicts will steal in the area where both the source of cash and the source of drugs exist. The obvious counterargument is that we don’t know this will happen and the pawn shop might cater exclusively to honest people down on their luck who simply want some money to feed their families and pay their utility bills. (My question is how does a pawnshop clerk know what is stolen and what isn’t? After all even an obvious junkie could be selling his own watch.) Since I’m not aware of any means of preventing the opening of this business it appears we are about to find out.
I think a community organization can have issue with the noxious signage which looks pretty awful. Otherwise, a pawnshop is not an inherently dangerous business that needs to be monitored. If there is actual evidence of criminal activities, it can be reported to the police.
I side with the right of entrepreneurs to operate whatever business they see fit. Pawnshops often have interesting stuff for sale, and interesting characters.
I agree, pawnshops are sad but exploitive? I don’t see that, DH. At least, no more so than any other business can be said to exploit customers. .