Riverside City Council
December 3, 2024

11/13/2024
1 RiversideCA.gov1
RiversideCA.gov
ORDINANCE TO ADD RIVERSIDE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 9.29 – UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CATALYTIC CONVERTERS Riverside Police DepartmentCity CouncilDecember 3, 2024 RiversideCA.gov2
September 18, 2024 – Safety Wellness and Youth Committee recommended that the City Council approve the addition of Riverside Municipal Code Chapter 9.29 prohibiting the unlawful possession of catalytic converters in the City of Riverside.COMMITTEE RECOMENDATION1 2 11/13/2024
2 RiversideCA.gov3
•Catalytic converter theft is popular because:–Value of precious metals contained in it–The ease of removing the catalytic converter from a vehicle–The ease of selling the item to scrap metal dealers for cash •No serial numbers required for catalytic converters from vehicles sold prior to January 1, 2024•Enforcement action may not be taken because Officer cannot prove item was stolenBACKGROUND RiversideCA.gov4
•Current state law allows an individual to posses less than 9 catalytic converters without requiring proof of ownership •If an officer makes contact with an individual possessing less than 9 catalytic converters but cannot identify a specific victim, then the officer may have to release the individual along with the catalytic converter(s)•Proposed Ordinance will provide an additional tool to protect the public, deter criminal activity, and promote a more productive use of law enforcement resources NEED FOR MUNICIPAL CODE3 4 11/13/2024
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•Proposed ordinance will:–Establish a zero-tolerance policy for catalytic converter theft–Establish sanctions for possessing stolen catalytic converters–Prevent offenders from profiting from the sale of catalytic converters–Prevent recycling centers from purchasing unlawfully obtained catalytic converters–Provide indirect justice to the victims of catalytic converter theft–Minimize the fiscal and personnel impact in deterring and investigating catalytic converter theftsNEED FOR MUNICIPAL CODE RiversideCA.gov6
•Riverside Municipal Code Chapter 9.29 – Unlawful Possession of Catalytic Converters –Unlawful for any person to possess any catalytic converter which is not properly installed in a vehicle unless the person has proof verifying they are in lawful possession–Unlawful for any person to knowingly falsify or cause to be falsified any information in any documentation or other proof intended to show valid proof of ownership See Exhibit A (Full Code) RIVERSIDE MUNICIPAL CODE5 6 11/13/2024
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Strategic Priority 2 Community Well-Being Goal 2.4STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT RiversideCA.gov8
That the City Council introduce and subsequently adopt an ordinance to amend the Riverside Municipal Code to add Chapter 9.29 prohibiting the unlawful possession of catalytic converters in the City of Riverside.RECOMMENDATION7 8