Catalytic converter thefts on the rise in South City

“The thefts have occurred throughout our entire city,” Campbell said. “Our patrol officers and detectives are working diligently to identify and arrest those responsible.”

He said officers since last year have identified 22 individuals suspected of stealing the pricy vehicle components. Half were arrested on the spot and warrants were issued for the other half. Between January 2021 and June 2022, the Police Department has investigated 433 such crimes, he said.

But, he added, many who commit the crime live outside the city, making investigations tricky.

Catalytic converters, part of a vehicle’s exhaust system, contain valuable metals (some that have recently skyrocketed in value), and can be removed with an electric saw in just minutes. Thieves can get several hundred dollars for the stolen device, which can be sold for scrap.

The city’s uptick is on par with a national trend, which some experts have linked with tightening emissions regulations overseas. The metals within catalytic converters trigger a chemical reaction to break apart harmful pollutants before they exit the tailpipe.

There were 296 reported thefts in South San Francisco last year, up from 75 the year prior, according to the city’s data. This year, 137 incidents have been reported so far.

“Unfortunately, the state is now the number one state in the country for catalytic converter thefts,” Becker said. “These thefts are extremely costly, as some of you unfortunately now know.”

Becker said he is supporting several bills in the state Legislature aimed at addressing the crime, among them a requirement to etch identifying numbers on the device, and tightening rules regarding how they are bought and sold.

Current state law makes prosecuting catalytic converter thieves tricky, as victims must be identified, and there is often no way to link a converter to a specific car. One of the bills, Assembly Bill 1984, would allow officers to make arrests without actual knowledge that a catalytic converter in someone’s possession is stolen, and allow circumstantial evidence for prosecution.

Nagales said the City Council, during its Wednesday meeting, will consider offering formal support of the bills. The council will also vote to adopt an urgency ordinance that would essentially implement AB 1984 locally.

South San Francisco last year offered a free program to etch vehicle identification numbers on converters. More than 200 residents received the service, Nagales said, and offering the program a second time is being considered.

Assistance for installing physical deterrents, cages or shields that can be bolted or welded underneath cars to prevent access, is also being examined, City Manager Mike Futrell said. He said, however, the cost for such work is often $300 or more.

Becker added he would also look into incentives for dealers to add the equipment to cars before they are sold.

In addition to the shields, Campbell recommended parking in well-lit areas or in a garage if possible. He said motion sensors and alarms can be a deterrent, and home surveillance systems have been critical in many investigations.

He said the department had initiated patrols during peak times, as well as “data driven, special undercover surveillance operations” to help target where crimes are occurring.

Planned installation of 31 new license plate reading cameras along Highway 101 and Interstate 280 could also help, he said. The City Council approved the cameras earlier this year as a means of tracking cars suspected of being involved in crimes. Several nearby cities have also adopted similar systems.

Regarding other vehicle-related crimes, Campbell reported vehicle burglaries also average one per day, while auto thefts occur 22 times per month. The figures are both on par with years prior to 2019, he said.

An uptick in burglaries and thefts of work trucks, however, often resulting in the loss of valuable tools, had been recorded recently, he said.

corey@smdailyjournal.com

(650) 344-5200, ext. 105