If folks could see the pawn logs left from the career thieves made on a daily basis, there would be an uproar.

Pawn shops pay for people to go steal.

You steal it, we promise to buy it.

Michael Burns

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Pawn shops are required by law to report all merchandise to local law enforcement. This results in many thieves being caught and merchandise returned to the rightful owner-at a loss to the pawn shop. In addition, pawn shops offer those who are not able to get a loan at a bank or other institution a way to get a small loan for gas, medical care, bills, etc. Pawn shops also offer merchandise at a much lower price than retail.

While many people think that pawn shops are bad, you need to consider the other side of the coin as well. They are filling a need and fulfill all of the laws and regulations that are put upon them.

Janis Rodgers

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I wonder if there is any way that these pawn shop logs could be published by the media? My fiancé recently was the victim of thieves. He has a storage building located behind his home in Ooltewah/Collegedale. It was broken into, and the thieves stole all kinds of equipment including a leaf blower and chain saw.

Amie Erwin

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We were robbed last year, and the person we suspected also robbed her own family (a friend of mine), and some of their jewelry was at a certain pawn shop. So I went there and am certain that I identified two of my rings (they were in the same case).

I called the police and the pawn shop owner was unhelpful and arrogant with me and the police. I am certain, though I can't prove it, that he altered or switched the tags once he got the tip that this stuff could have been stolen. He took the two rings out of the jewelry case and took them in the back of the shop. He was obviously nervous when I said I was going to try and find the jeweler that made one of the rings.

So, yes, pawn shops owners can be slime.

Tina Grant
East Ridge

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A thief recently broke into my house and stole a televison, and watch, and a few other items. He sold the TV to a pawn shop in Rossville the same day. We are now going to court to get our TV back and see that this criminal goes to jail.

While I am grateful that the pawn shop had a record of this "transaction," they should not have bought the TV in the first place. As a pawn shop owner you know darn well that when someone shows up with a new TV with no remote or power cord that it is stolen. You only keep records now because the state makes you. What about all the stolen merchandise you purchased before it was the law? Last week I saw a hoveround in front of a pawn shop in East Ridge. I wonder who's mother or grandmother is stuck without any way to get around? I don't see how you pawn shop owners sleep at night paying someone for stolen merchandise so they can buy drugs with the money.

Pawn shops contribute to theft and drug dealing.

Brian Watson