APMs? Not in Sonoma

Council bans ‘thief magnet' automated purchasing machines|

Looking to exchange your old iPhone 4 for a bit of quick cash? Don’t look anytime soon in Sonoma, as the city council last week approved a ban on automated purchasing machines – the freestanding cash kiosks being described as thief magnets by law enforcement authorities.

Automated purchasing machines (APMs) are freestanding kiosk-type cash points that enable the sale of cell phones, mp3 players and other tech devices for immediate cash.

Unfortunately, they’re also a big draw for cell-phone thieves looking for an easy way to turn their latest plunder of old Samsungs into crisp new Benjamins. According to a city staff report, newer devices in good working order may generate as much as $300 from an APM transaction.

“Law enforcement agencies across the country cite the instant access to cash provided by APMs as a draw for thieves,” according to the city staff report presented to the council at its Feb. 18 meeting. APMs do have security features that scan photo IDs, but they can’t verify ownership of the device and are generally not effective enough to “deter criminal exploitation,” continued the report.

According to Sonoma Planning Director David Goodison, not only would Automatic Payment Machines encourage local thieves – but they’d be a iPod-on-a-stick for criminals far and wide.

“Police are concerned it would bring thieves from other communities looking for quick cash,” Goodison said at the meeting.

There are currently no APMs operating in Sonoma, but city officials say they want to avert any “adverse consequences” now before any such machines are placed.

With little debate, the council approved the ordinance by a vote of 5-0.

The APM issue initially came up last year when the local law enforcement urged the City Council to pass an ordinance prohibiting the machines; such a move requires an amendment to the city development code. The council passed a temporary moratorium on the machines in October, while city staff developed an amendment.

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