The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce
Oceanside Chamber

BLOG

Oceanside Chamber of Commerce
  • Oceanside
    • About Oceanside >
      • History of Oceanside
      • Demographics
      • Arts and Culture
      • Education
      • Employment
      • Health Care
      • Religious Organizations
      • Local Government and Services
      • Retiring in Oceanside
      • Oceanside Maps
    • Visitor Information >
      • Beaches
      • Accommodations
      • Groups and Meeting
    • Things to Do >
      • Oceanside Events >
        • Downtown History Walks
        • Farmers Market
        • Sunset Market
      • Shopping >
        • Coupons
      • Dining
      • Surfing
      • Regional Attractions
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Business Directory
    • All Categories
    • Coupons
    • New Members
  • Media
    • Advancing Oceanside Podcast
    • Blog
    • Member News
    • E-Newsletter
    • Publications >
      • Advertising Your Business
      • Best of Oceanside Magazine
      • Annual Community Guide
      • Military Publications
  • Chamber
    • Membership >
      • Member Portal
      • Membership Packages
      • Application
      • Testimonials
    • Advocacy >
      • Chamber Political Action Committee
      • Public Policy Guidelines
      • The Advancing Oceanside Report
    • Our Work >
      • 2021 Annual Report
      • 2022 Strategic Priorities
      • Committees - Task Forces - Forums
      • Oceanside Young Professionals Network
    • Economic Recovery >
      • 2021 Small Business Grant Program
      • 2020 Shop Local Oceanside
      • 2020 North County Cares Program
    • Workforce Development >
      • SOCAL Workforce
    • Our Team >
      • Board of Directors
      • Chamber Staff
    • Privacy Policy
  • Events
    • Signature Chamber Events >
      • Senior Expo
      • Armed Forces Day Operation Appreciation
      • Heroes of Oceanside and Camp Pendleton
      • Meet the City of Oceanside
      • North County Health Fair
      • Oceanside Harbor Days
      • Rising Star Program
    • Monthly Chamber Events
    • Oceanside Community Events
  • Resources
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Local Business Resources
    • Military Resources

Catalytic Converts: An Answer to the Surge in Thefts

3/17/2022

1 Comment

 
Picture
By District Attorney Summer Stephan
When we think of trends, it’s usually in fashion or style. But in law enforcement, there are also trending crimes. Today, the trend is stealing catalytic converters from automobiles. The part, which aids in making exhaust pollutants less harmful, contain three precious metals: platinum, palladium and rhodium, which are sold to scrap yards.
A catalytic converter can be stolen in just minutes, making cars that sit higher off the ground, easy targets because of the easy access. It’s also rare to catch a thief in the act.

As of December 2021, reports of catalytic converter thefts shot up by 423 % in a one-year period in San Diego County. Last year, more than 2,000 catalytic converters were reported stolen. Since 2018, our office has filed 58 cases against catalytic converter thieves. In the last few months, we’ve filed eight new cases that represent 17 stolen converters. The cases we’ve been able to file are just a drop in the bucket compared to the thousands being stolen each year.

The problem for law enforcement is holding thieves accountable. Even though most catalytic converter thefts meet the state threshold for grand theft, since they are mostly valued above $950, current law makes it difficult to prove that they are stolen, despite how seemingly obvious it may be.

As of now, catalytic converters are practically untraceable because there is no identification number or record of legitimate possession associated with them. The lack of identification makes it easy for thieves and scrap metal businesses to avoid consequences and makes it easier for recyclers to avoid liability for purchasing a stolen converter.

Detectives are sometimes unable to match a stolen catalytic converter to the vehicle it was stolen from — which is a necessary step to pursue a criminal case.

Because of these difficulties, I am supporting SB 919 authored by Brian W. Jones, (R-Santee) that would require car dealers to permanently mark the vehicle identification number on the catalytic converter before sale. This will help law enforcement identify stolen converters and increase the likelihood that we can file a criminal case.

The bill also clarifies the responsibilities of recyclers and will require them to provide detailed records to law enforcement and the bill will make it easier to establish probable cause for arrest and prosecution. If passed into law, SB 919 will give us the tools we need to reduce catalytic converter thefts and hold thieves accountable.

In the meantime, here are steps you can take to protect your catalytic converter:
1. Etch your license plate number onto your catalytic converter. This makes the part identifiable to law enforcement.
2.  Park in well-lit areas.
3.  Install an anti-theft device.
 
As your District Attorney, I’m committed to increasing communication and accessibility between the DA’s Office and the public. I hope these consumer and public safety tips have been helpful.
1 Comment
Natasha Shaw
4/19/2022 06:22:01 am

I’m a testimony of Karl’s work. My husband and I started working with Fixbit Credit, the 1st week of March 2021 and closed on our house June 18, 2021. In April my husband’s credit score jumped 127 points. Our credit score went from low 500s to almost 800 in 3 months. From the time we did our loan application and closing was less than 2 weeks (VA benefits) Karl removed everything negative off of our credit report. Fixbit Credit is definitely the Credit Plug!!! Contact him via INFO@FIXBITCREDIT.COM or (440) 252-6818

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    Advocacy
    Arts And Culture
    Business
    Camp Pendleton
    Community
    Education
    Emerging Issues
    Entertainment
    Events
    Finance
    Health And Wellness
    History Of Oceanside
    Home
    Military
    Photo Blogs
    Political Action
    Resources
    Restaurants
    Ribbon Cuttings
    Senior Living
    Technology
    Visit Oceanside
    Women
    Workforce Development

    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    September 2014

    RSS Feed

Copyright © 2022 Oceanside Chamber of Commerce
928 N. Coast Highway | Oceanside, CA 92054
Tel 760-722-1534 
info@oceansidechamber.com
Privacy Policy
Map/Directions
Picture
  • Oceanside
    • About Oceanside >
      • History of Oceanside
      • Demographics
      • Arts and Culture
      • Education
      • Employment
      • Health Care
      • Religious Organizations
      • Local Government and Services
      • Retiring in Oceanside
      • Oceanside Maps
    • Visitor Information >
      • Beaches
      • Accommodations
      • Groups and Meeting
    • Things to Do >
      • Oceanside Events >
        • Downtown History Walks
        • Farmers Market
        • Sunset Market
      • Shopping >
        • Coupons
      • Dining
      • Surfing
      • Regional Attractions
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Business Directory
    • All Categories
    • Coupons
    • New Members
  • Media
    • Advancing Oceanside Podcast
    • Blog
    • Member News
    • E-Newsletter
    • Publications >
      • Advertising Your Business
      • Best of Oceanside Magazine
      • Annual Community Guide
      • Military Publications
  • Chamber
    • Membership >
      • Member Portal
      • Membership Packages
      • Application
      • Testimonials
    • Advocacy >
      • Chamber Political Action Committee
      • Public Policy Guidelines
      • The Advancing Oceanside Report
    • Our Work >
      • 2021 Annual Report
      • 2022 Strategic Priorities
      • Committees - Task Forces - Forums
      • Oceanside Young Professionals Network
    • Economic Recovery >
      • 2021 Small Business Grant Program
      • 2020 Shop Local Oceanside
      • 2020 North County Cares Program
    • Workforce Development >
      • SOCAL Workforce
    • Our Team >
      • Board of Directors
      • Chamber Staff
    • Privacy Policy
  • Events
    • Signature Chamber Events >
      • Senior Expo
      • Armed Forces Day Operation Appreciation
      • Heroes of Oceanside and Camp Pendleton
      • Meet the City of Oceanside
      • North County Health Fair
      • Oceanside Harbor Days
      • Rising Star Program
    • Monthly Chamber Events
    • Oceanside Community Events
  • Resources
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Local Business Resources
    • Military Resources