The Allentown Police Department is inviting city business owners and operators to a public meeting to explain recent revisions to Article 301, Allentown City Code.

The amended measure requires businesses that purchase second hand goods and/or items containing precious metals from citizens to report transaction information electronically to the department. The change also applies to businesses providing loans to citizens while holding their moveable property as collateral.

The public meeting will be held on Thursday, April 12 at 6:00pm in City Council Chambers. Information offered at the session will be especially helpful to precious metal dealers, second hand dealers and pawnbrokers.

The police department has contracted with Business Watch International (BWI) to provide the software that will allow each business to report these transactions electronically. The software requires only a basic computer, with Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 or higher, and an internet connection. According to the department, it is very likely that most businesses are already operating a point of sale system that will be compatible with the software.

Representatives from the police department and Business Watch International will be available at the public meeting to answer questions and address concerns.

In the near future, BWI will begin to reach out to city businesses by phone. They stand ready to train business owners, operators and their staff on the use of the software free of charge.

More information can be obtained by contacting APD Captain William Lake at 610-437-7721.

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