TITLE:
title
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER XV (UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CATALYTIC CONVERTER) TO TITLE 11 (OFFENSES-MISCELLANEOUS) OF THE COSTA MESA MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH REGULATIONS PROHIBITING THE UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CATALYTIC CONVERTERS IN THE CITY
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DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESENTED BY: BRYAN WADKINS, LIEUTENANT
CONTACT INFORMATION: BRYAN WADKINS, LIEUTENANT, (714)754-5292
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council:
Introduce for first reading, by title only, Ordinance No. 2022-xx, adding Chapter XV (Unlawful Possession of a Catalytic Converter) to Title 11 (Offenses-Miscellaneous) of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code to establish regulations prohibiting the unlawful possession of catalytic converters in the City.
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BACKGROUND:
In recent years, the residents of Costa Mesa have been the victims of hundreds of catalytic converter thefts. Unsuspecting victims park their cars and while they are away, criminals quickly remove the catalytic converter from their vehicles using power tools. The theft of catalytic converters is one of the fastest growing crimes in Costa Mesa, having increased from 26 in 2019 to 318 in 2021, a 1,223% increase in two years.
Catalytic converter thefts are on the rise statewide because individuals are incentivized to commit catalytic converter thefts for multiple reasons including, but not limited to:
* The ease and undetectable nature of committing the thefts in a matter of seconds using common tools.
* The ability to recycle catalytic converters at scrap metal yards for high dollar returns ranging from $200 to $1,200 per catalytic converter.
* Loopholes in current laws protecting criminals from prosecution unless a victim can be identified.
The individuals who are in possession of stolen catalytic converters recycle them for substantial profit, while victims of these thefts suffer consequences of paying thousands of dollars in repairs, the inconvenience of repairing the...
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