4/5/2022
HUND TON 0000000
NCORPORATED Introduction of Ordinance No. 4251
BEA Adding Chapter 10.53 to HBMC Title 10
Prohibiting the
Unlawful Possession of
Catalytic Converters
EB. 17, 1909, Alis April 5, 2022
SUPPLEMENTAL
COMMUNICATION
Meeting Date:™ 4/5/2022
Agenda Ham No: 28(22-249)
Background
• Catalytic converters are located
underneath vehicles and reduce the
amount of harmful pollutants released
from the exhaust system and into the
environment.
•They're highly valued for their precious
metals (i.e. platinum, palladium,
rhodium) which are altogether valued
at ~$11,000 per ounce (depending on
market conditions).
• As such, thefts are on the rise
nationally, with 3 out of 10 theft claims
filed in California.
4/5/2022
Background
• Thefts are further incentivized due to:
• The ease and speed of removal using
common tools (i.e. reciprocating saw)
• Lack of identifying markers that make it
nearly impossible to find owners and
therefore prosecute criminals
• Most thefts remain unresolved.
• The average cost for a vehicle owner to
replace a converter and repair residual
damage to a vehicle is $2,000, depending on
the car make and model.
Catalytic Converter Theft Statistics
CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFTS
500 REPORTED TO HBPD
461
400
300
192
200
100
49 2019 2020 2021
2 4/5/2022
Ongoing Prevention Efforts
• HBPD actively engages in prevention efforts by CATALYTIC CONVERTER hosting free "etching events" to engrave identifying
THEFT PREVENTION EVENT
information on catalytic converters. This makes them
less prone to thefts and more traceable on the black
market.
Woärvile the publie to bring their valletas in to have their Feanss plate nusbers engrnved ents becag conere Pace erenpe
Tha tania mathad d tandirathsimm ла ltHe HeM eorvatu thafu • HBPD also teaches residents about practices like
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parking in well-lit areas and installing protective cages FREE Online around catalytic converters. Registration
Required to
Participate
22, 2021 10am - 3pm
omotive - 7680 To'bert Avenuc HE
• However, HBPD would benefit from additional
tools to deter the transportation, sale and
distribution of stolen converters.
Potential Prevention Efforts
• Currently HBPD is unable to ask individuals who
are in possession of unattached catalytic
converters for proof of ownership or the legitimate
means of obtaining them. This limits the City's
ability to deter thefts.
• Local cities including Irvine, Lake Forest, and
several in San Diego County adopted ordinances
to prohibit the transportation of unattached
catalytic converters without proof of ownership.
• Mission Viejo also approved the first reading of a
similar ordinance with a 2nd reading scheduled for
4/12/22.
4/5/2022
Proposed Ordinance 4251
• If approved, Ordinance No. 4251 would establish that it is unlawful for any individual (except a core recycler) to possess an unattached catalytic converter without all of the valid forms of proofs below:
• License plate and VIN of the car from which the catalytic converter was removed • Name, address, phone number of the vehicle owner
• Signature of the owner authorizing removal of the catalytic converter • Name, address, phone number of the current owner of the catalytic converter • Each violation of this ordinance may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor, subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000, imprisonment up to 6 months, or both. • This ordinance would provide HBPD with legal authority to deter and potentially reduce the transfer and/or theft of catalytic converters locally.
Recommendation
(1) Approve for introduction Ordinance No. 4251, "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Adding a New Chapter 10.53 to Title 10 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code, Prohibiting the Unlawful Possession of Catalytic Converters in the City, and Making a Finding of Exemption Under CEQA."
OR
(2) Do not approve the first reading of the ordinance and direct staff accordingly. 4 4/5/2022
HUNGTON 000000
INCORPORATED 8 Introduction of Ordinance No. 4251
Adding Chapter 10.53 to HBMC Title 10
Prohibiting the
Unlawful Possession of
Catalytic Converters
ECT. 11, 1909 2800 April 5, 2022
5