New York Is Taking Action to Push Back on Catalytic Convert Theft
New York is cracking down on the surge of catalytic converter thefts that has been impacting the state and the country over the course of 2022. Governor Kathy Hochul announced a new interagency action plan Monday targeting specific high-crime areas, while also signing a new piece of legislation titled the Catalytic Converter Theft Bill, aimed at making it more difficult for thieves to off-load cats at local dismantlers and scrap yards.
Catalytic converter theft has exploded across the country over the past year. In New York City alone, the number of thefts has quadrupled in 2022, with some 5548 cats stolen from cars in the city this year as of August 14. That figure is up from just 1505 during the same time period last year. Nassau County has seen an increase of 248 percent compared to 2021, while Suffolk County is approaching a 300 percent increase of its own. On a national scale, these thefts have increased by roughly 1215 percent since 2019, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
Catalytic converters contain various precious metals, including rhodium, palladium and platinum, which can be sold as high-value scrap material. They are also relatively easy to steal, requiring little more than basic power tools to remove them from a vehicle with haste. Thieves have perfected the methodology of hacking these components off of all types of vehicles, and have had seemingly no issue selling the scrap to various buyers. A replacement cat can cost several thousand dollars depending on the model of the vehicle, leaving many victims with an expensive issue to sort out. In states that require emissions testing, there is no alternative to spending that cash if you wish to retain your registration and pass inspection.
Governor Hochul’s plan to cut down on catalytic converter theft is two-fold. Local law enforcement agencies plan to step up their pursuit of chop shops and other illegal dismantler operations in high-crime areas. Furthermore, Hochul's new cat theft bill (S.9428/ A.1940-E) brings a host of new restrictions on the purchase, sale and even possession of cats.
The bill amends the state’s existing Vehicle and Traffic Law, adding cats to the list of major vehicle components. That tweak will require every scrap yard or dismantler shop to maintain strict records of any cats that come through their doors. Shops must also report the number of cats they have received every 60 days and will face penalties involving a Class A misdemeanor if they are caught not reporting the requested information. Shops may also face fines equal to double the value of any stolen cats that were sold or scrapped by the shop. Additionally, dealerships will be required to purchase and utilize catalytic converter etching kits, which will be used to match the part with a vehicle’s VIN.
"Public safety is my top priority, and we're taking an aggressive, targeted approach to deter criminals from stealing catalytic converters," Governor Hochul said in a statement. "Catalytic converter thefts have skyrocketed across our state and nation, and these comprehensive actions double down on our efforts to keep New Yorkers and their property safe, protecting our communities and cracking down on crime."
New York isn't alone in reworking how officials approach catalytic converter theft. In September, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that brings a $1000 fine to a first conviction offense related to stealing the emissions hardware. A $200 fine has also been raised for any second-time offenders. Recyclers in California can also face temporary operating suspensions if they are compliant in the purchase of illegally acquired cats.
Time will tell if these new efforts will be effective at limiting cat thefts. May your cars all stay in one piece.
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