TO: CITY COUNCIL
VIA: CITY ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT
DATE: JUNE 21, 2022
Placentia Cit Council
AGENDA REPORT
SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 0-2022- 06, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PLACENTIA, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 10.72 (UNLAWFUL
POSSESSION OF A CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROHIBITED) OF TITLE 10 (PEACE, MORALS AND SAFETY) OF THE PLACENTIA MUNICIPAL
CODE ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS PROHIBITING THE UNLAWFUL
POSSESSION OF CATALYTIC CONVERTERS IN THE CITY
FISCAL
IMPACT: Any increase in the number of criminal cases prosecuted by the Placentia City Attorney's Office as a result of the ordinance is expected to be managed by currently budgeted City Staff.
SUMMARY:
Introduction of the ordinance which establishes regulations and prohibits the unlawful possession of catalytic converters in the City. First reading, read by title only and waive further reading.
This ordinance is intended to deter catalytic converter thefts by establishing a zero -tolerance policy for mere unlawful possession of stolen catalytic converters. It also provides an avenue for successful prosecution when a victim can't be identified. Currently, many of these cases go unsolved without identification of a victim. This ordinance provides indirect justice to the victims of catalytic converter thefts, as those who violate this ordinance will be held accountable.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following action:
Introduce, and read by title only, Ordinance No. 0-2022-06, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Placentia, California, adding Chapter 10.72 (unlawful possession of a catalytic converter prohibited) of Title 10 (peace, morals and safety) of the Placentia Municipal Code establishing regulations prohibiting the unlawful possession of catalytic converters in the City.
3.b.
June 21, 2022
City Council Agenda
June 21, 2022
DISCUSSION:
Catalytic converters are an external component of a vehicle, accessible from the underside of a parked car. They convert most of a vehicle's emissions into less harmful forms, improving air quality and vehicle performance. As part of their construction, catalytic converters contain valuable materials such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium, rare metals that command ever- increasing prices on the recyclables market, currently the cost ranges between $1,000 and $17,000 per ounce.
Catalytic converter thefts are on the rise because individuals are incentivized to commit catalytic converter thefts for multiple reasons including, but not limited to: (1) the ease and undetectable nature of committing such thefts, potentially in a matter of seconds and through the use of common tools such as a reciprocating saw; (2) the ability to recycle catalytic converters at scrap metal yards for high dollar returns; and (3) loopholes in legislation protecting criminals from prosecution unless a victim can be identified.
Thefts of catalytic converters have increased across the country over the past several years.
Placentia is no exception to this national trend -residents and City residents have been victimized by this practice. In 2020, there were 68 reported catalytic converter thefts in the City. In 2021, there were 116 reported catalytic converter thefts. Year to date (2022) there have already been 55 reported catalytic converter thefts.
There is currently no City, State, or Federal legislation applicable within the City of Placentia to define and punish catalytic converter thefts absent of an identifiable victim. Additionally, there is currently no City, State, or Federal legislation applicable within the City of Placentia requiring individuals to provide proof to law enforcement as to how they obtained catalytic converters. This limits law enforcement's ability to protect the public by preventing catalytic converter thefts and seizing suspected stolen catalytic converters when there is no identifiable victim present.
Preventing and punishing these crimes at present is nearly impossible due to the ease and speed with which catalytic converter thefts can be committed and the difficulty of tracing a particular catalytic converter back to its prior owner (the victim), because catalytic converters typically have no identifying markers.
By criminalizing the mere possession of an unattached catalytic converter, absent proof of ownership, the attached ordinance would accomplish the following objectives: (1) achieving deterrence by establishing zero -tolerance for catalytic converter thefts; (2) establishing sanctions for possessing stolen catalytic converters; (3) preventing criminals from profiting from the sale and recycling of stolen catalytic converters; (4) providing indirect justice to the victims of catalytic converter theft cases that have gone or will go unsolved for the reasons discussed above; and (5) minimizing the fiscal and personnel impact on the City of Placentia and the Placentia Police Department by reducing the time invested in deterring and investigating catalytic converter thefts.
City Council Agenda
June 21, 2022
Prepared by:
E3rad Butts
Chief of Po
Attachment:
Draft Ordinance 0-2022-06
Reviewed and Approved:
Damien R, Arrula
City Administrator