Examining Connecticut’s catalytic converter laws as thefts continue

(WFSB) – These most up-to-date catalytic converter thefts are simply one other instance of the continued and rising drawback in our state.

There’s a new regulation in place designed to make it tougher to promote catalytic converters however is it working, and why are they so priceless?

It sort of seems to be like a muffler and it sits beneath your automotive, however with the correct instruments, thieves can take it in minutes.

Catalytic converters have very costly, valuable metals inside them, and plenty of thieves look like undeterred at stopping from stealing them.

“It’s one thing that continues to plague cities across the state,” stated Cheshire Police Chief and President of the Connecticut Police Chiefs affiliation Neil Dryfe.

Dryfe stated catalytic converter thefts proceed to be an enormous drawback in Connecticut.

A brand new regulation took impact in July 2022 that requires folks promoting a catalytic converter to supply their driver’s license, the license plate of the automotive used for transport, picture or video of the vendor, and their license, amongst different restrictions.

Dryfe stated it’s onerous to evaluate if the regulation is deterring thieves.

“I don’t need to say that it hasn’t had any impact, as a result of I’m sure that it in all probability has, I believe there are nonetheless a lot of sure people who find themselves going to exit right here and are going to steal catalytic converters anyway. There’s a marketplace for them due to the valuable metals inside them and there are specific people who find themselves not keen to obey the regulation. They don’t care that the regulation modified,” stated Dryfe.

These valuable metals the chief is referring to have skyrocketed in worth.

Rhodium is promoting for $12,400 per ounce. Palladium is promoting for $1,748 per ounce and platinum is promoting for $1,060 an oz..

Ukraine has a number of the richest provides of those metals in your complete world. Because the conflict has raged on, there have been steel shortages, the costs have continued to rise and so have catalytic converter thefts.

Joe Genovese is normal supervisor of Arite Used Auto Elements. He stated auto recyclers don’t purchase catalytic converters anyway. He stated lawmakers ought to be wanting on the scrap yards that they’re bought to. They’re those that extract the valuable metals.

“They’re bought earlier than they’re even lower and so they know who they’re going to promote them to. So you must discover out who that’s. The place do these find yourself in the long run. Trigger for those who can regulate that then you may in all probability cease the converter thefts. However for those who can’t regulate that then it’s simply going to proceed to occur,” Genovese stated.

We’re informed lots of the converters stolen listed here are bought in New Jersey.

There may be discuss of recent laws geared toward forcing insurance coverage firms to totally reimburse for stolen catalytic converters, however critics say it should elevate charges and do nothing to cease the thefts.

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