Posted on 05/08/2022 9:29:37 AM PDT by real saxophonist
Catalytic converter thefts target of state bill
by: Carly Moore
Posted: May 7, 2022
DENVER (KDVR) — Countless catalytic converters are stolen in Colorado, behind many victims’ frustration and a call for change. The FOX31 Problem Solvers have been hearing these complaints for months.
Auto thefts have risen by 5,100% in Colorado, according to the Colorado Independent Auto Dealers Association. And in the first three months of this year, the Denver Police Department said five catalytic converters are reported stolen on average each day.
A new bill in the state legislature could soon become a law aimed at stopping this.
Current law requires the owner of a salvage yard, a junk collector or any other business that purchases commodity metals to keep a record of all transactions involving commodity metals. The bill applies these same requirements to transactions involving catalytic converters.
Any person who acquires five or more vehicles in a year in order to reclaim parts or metals, including catalytic converters, must consult the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System to ensure that the vehicles are not stolen.
Auto dealers want help for catalytic converter theft victims
David Cardella is the CEO of the Colorado Independent Automobile Dealers Association. He said supply and costs are also an issue. The CIADA has sent a letter to Gov. Jared Polis calling for amendments and has started a petition.
Cardella said the state needs to help those who have already been victimized by allowing after-market catalytic converters to be used in Colorado.
“Unfortunately, the people who have been victimized by the crime of catalytic converters are now being victimized again because they can’t get their cars on the road,” Cardella said. “They can’t get to work. They can’t get to school. They can’t pick up the kids. They can’t go to the grocery store. And it’s created quite a dilemma.”
CIADA said Coloradans are left for months with inoperable vehicles while they await catalytic converter repairs. The availability of CARB-certified after-market catalytic converters is almost non-existent because of supply chain issues, with no remedy in sight.
Cardella said the state also has strict requirements when it comes to aftermarket catalytic converters, meaning getting replacements are even harder.
“That’s the difference between, you know, paying your bill, not paying your bills, paying your rent and not paying your rent. And that really is an unacceptable answer,” Cardella said.
Cardella said he hopes the new bill prevents thefts but believes some thieves take the converters out of the state or even out of the country.
So far, this bill has passed through several readings in both the House and the Senate with little opposition. FOX31 has reached out to the sponsors of the bill and will keep you posted when we hear from them.
All catalytic converter thieves should be shot on sight.
“...shot on sight...”
My exact advice.
And on site....
They go after the businesses, never the crooks.
Not a lot different than pawn shops is it?
They are required to keep records on sellers of purchased items.
That seems to be an effective way of mitigating the trafficking stolen items does it not?
Typical knee-jerk liberal law in response. The crooks are never punished. In fact, these thieves are now going to give the yards under the table money to keep quiet.
I think the idea is to try and curb demand. The results of not punishing the criminals is getting pretty bad here on the west coast though. A touring band recently had their equipment stolen nearby and they recovered some of the guitars in a nearby homeless e campment.
Or haul them over the state border.
One of my first thoughts when mine was stolen was, it’s probably on its way to California.
Lol. This law will do nothing. The criminals don’t care. They just get cut loose anyhow.
These stolen catalytic converters are purchased by shady scrap dealers, then the converters end up being shipped overseas to the Chinese, who extract the palladium. If the FBI wasn’t so busy persecuting parents attending school meetings or labeling MAGA a terrorist organization, they might actually do something like try and nail down these illicit export companies.
More laws aren’t going to solve the problem....................
Isn’t it curious?
We live in a “Police State” in all but name.
How come is there so much crime?!
Anyhoo, none of the legislation will have the intended effect. The reasons are simple. Petty crimes are no longer enforced. This has myriad follow on ramifications. The Police can’t be bothered arresting anyone when they will be released immediately. And that’s the situation in numerous jurisdictions, for very serious crimes. It costs a lot of money to keep someone incarcerated.
It just doesn’t pencil out any longer, due to politics. It would be nice if the delusional “voters” and their dystopia would remain confined to their precincts but it doesn’t work that way. They drag the rest of society along with them, right down the tubes.
Do all catalytic converters have serial numbers?
As they noted. They just go to another state. Why not just increase the penalties and enforce them.
“Current law requires the owner of a salvage yard, a junk collector or any other business that purchases commodity metals to keep a record of all transactions involving commodity metals. The bill applies these same requirements to transactions involving catalytic converters.”
This is needed. Yes a burden on the business will be added, but now they are turning a blind eye to who the sellers are so they are a big part in the problem .
It’s the only way to stop it.
It’s absolute BS that criminal sellers can easily sell these things.
Sure... pass another law. That ALWAYS works. /sarc.
Some group or fence is ultimately behind this. Police work will solve it.
Buried in this story is CARB compliance. In CO and other Karen-based states that follow CARB rules, you can’t put on “just any” aftermarket cat to replace it, it must be OEM or extensively tested/documented (expensive) by an aftermarket company (rare, and only on popular vehicles) for CARB compliance. So, to recap:
1. The local/state government does little to stop crime, and even if perps are caught, they get their hands slapped.
2. The victim in those areas/states can’t just replace it with “any” converter ($$$), it must be CARB compliant ($$$$). Those CARB cats are hard to get right now if you can get them at all with months lead time at best. So, you can’t drive it legally, and no shop can “straight pipe” it legally (even temporarily), or put on a non-CARB cat (even temporarily). All are probably state and in some cases definitely Fed crimes. And you can bet your a$$ that they would prosecute those.
3. You need to go to work, so, you get an electric car. A government policy success!
Oh I agree. There needs to be unpleasant consequences for criminal behavior.
They’re talking about making the stealing of Catalytic Converters a crime in Texas.
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