Denver has taken steps to deter the thefts of catalytic converters. Denver City Council unanimously passed a bill intended to work in conjunction with state legislation targeting catalytic converter theft.
So how does it work?
Well, anytime someone sells a catalytic converter to a scrap yard or an auto parts store in Denver, the owner of the establishment is required to provide the city with the seller’s identification. This includes a car license plate and ID. This is required within one business day of the sale.
New state laws already require the shops to collect the information. Now Denver is taking it a step further so that police can watch out for any patterns among catalytic converter sales.
This reporting system is very similar to one in place for pawn shops, called the Pawn Brokers Act.. Denver will use the same reporting service it uses for pawn brokers to keep track of seller data. They are hoping that this reporting system draws to light some offenders or areas that need to be looked into.
According to Denver Police, the number of catalytic converters stolen throughout the city in 2021 increased by 899.6% from 2020, and 2022 is already slightly above last year with 1,318 stolen so far this year.
The most common spots where catalytic convertor theft occurs in Denver are at residential or apartment parking lots, Regional Transportation District park and ride lots, and at Denver International Airport parking lots — though thefts happen all over the city. It seems to be, the bigger the lot, the increased opportunity for the theft to occur.
Time will tell if this new reporting system will decrease the amount of catalytic converter thefts in the mile high city. Maybe thieves will start getting a little worried about their brazen tactics. Or maybe not. But at least steps are being taken to protect us from this ridiculous problem. For that at least, we can be thankful.
- INKLUSION
