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Catalytic Converter Theft

sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com

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Re: Catalytic Converter Theft

#21

Post by throwaway0a5e »

bluedino wrote: post #4

The local metal scrapyards are far too lenient. They don’t bat an eye at someone bringing in stolen air conditioning condensers (they can even be brand new) You should have to have the tittle for the car to bring a converter in, since it’s a federal offense to remove them.

>You should have to have the tittle for the car to bring a converter in, since it’s a federal offense to remove them.

If my eyes could roll in a complete circle they would.

Nobody who is parting out cars (resulting in a decent number of legitimately owned cats lying around to scrap) is bringing in the title because cheap junk often changes hands without a title and if not you gave the title to the junkyard in order for them to take the bare shell without you cutting it up.

And how is the scrap yard supposed to figure out which cat matches which title?

(the other guy covered the mechanic use case so I won't)

Re: Catalytic Converter Theft

#22

Post by emodendroket »

kube-system wrote: post #20
bluedino wrote: post #4

The local metal scrapyards are far too lenient. They don’t bat an eye at someone bringing in stolen air conditioning condensers (they can even be brand new) You should have to have the tittle for the car to bring a converter in, since it’s a federal offense to remove them.

Then how would we expect a legitimate mechanic to replace one?

Why would the mechanic need to sell it to a scrapyard?

Re: Catalytic Converter Theft

#23

Post by throwaway0a5e »

Cat theft would be a $200 problem ($50 for the cat, $150 for someone to put it in there) on the order of a cracked windshield instead of a $2k problem if CARB would pull its head out of it's butt and stop caring about what cat you put on what as long as it sniffs within spec at the tailpipe.

I'm not condoning theft but CA state policy is a large part of why this issue hurts as bad as it does.

Re: Catalytic Converter Theft

#24

Post by throwaway0a5e »

emodendroket wrote: post #22
kube-system wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Then how would we expect a legitimate mechanic to replace one?

Why would the mechanic need to sell it to a scrapyard?

So it doesn't clutter up the shop.

The same reason they scrap the mountains of other used non-working parts they generate.

Re: Catalytic Converter Theft

#25

Post by throwaway0a5e »

skt5 wrote: post #13
codegrappler wrote: post #7

This happened to me. Twice within a few weeks. Parked in a train commuter lot. I eventually had the mechanic screw some steel mesh to the bottom of my pickup to deter the thieves. Thankfully I kept comprehensive insurance on my vehicle so the out of pocket expense was $50. The insurance company did call to investigate the second time because they thought I was in on it.

> Thankfully I kept comprehensive insurance on my vehicle so the out of pocket expense was $50. Hopefully the claim doesn't cause your premiums to increase in a meaningful way at renewal time.

>Hopefully the claim doesn't cause your premiums to increase in a meaningful way at renewal time.

Two theft claims won't raise his premiums.

The other two thousand thefts in the general vicinity will.

Re: Catalytic Converter Theft

#26

Post by GonzaloQuero »

bananapizza wrote: post #15
ehvatum wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sadly, this really is the Bay Area administrative position on the matter.

It is indeed, to all of our detriment in my opinion. Won’t stop the HN downvote brigade from attempting to quickly hide it to avoid having to address it, though. Edit, original comment below. It’s very interesting, and to me, very telling, that HN seems to reach for censorship quicker than good-faith refutation of the core argument. Which here is simply that we have in fact lost the ability to enforce law in many are…

You're making a mockery of the talking points about defunding the police, then asking people to actually spend time debating you. Please, reconsider the way you argue about things.

Re: Catalytic Converter Theft

#27

Post by skt5 »

worewood wrote: post #16
skt5 wrote: post #12

Do catalytic converters have the VIN etched on it like other vehicle parts do?

I don't see how this could deter the theft, as they are cut open and the shell is discarded anyway

Yeah - the shell / heat shield would be discarded but I wonder if having the VIN on the actual converter somewhere would deter theft.

Re: Catalytic Converter Theft

#28

Post by bananapizza »

GonzaloQuero wrote: post #26
bananapizza wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is indeed, to all of our detriment in my opinion. Won’t stop the HN downvote brigade from attempting to quickly hide it to avoid having to address it, though. Edit, original comment below. It’s very interesting, and to me, very telling, that HN seems to reach for censorship quicker than good-faith refutation of the core argument. Which here is simply that we have in fact lost the ability to enforce law in many are…

You're making a mockery of the talking points about defunding the police, then asking people to actually spend time debating you. Please, reconsider the way you argue about things.

If you want to defund the police, how can you possibly prioritize catalytic converter theft, a non-violent crime? Aren’t non-violent crimes what are being de-prioritized?

Re: Catalytic Converter Theft

#29

Post by skt5 »

kube-system wrote: post #17
skt5 wrote: post #12

Do catalytic converters have the VIN etched on it like other vehicle parts do?

No, the VIN is usually only put on permanent parts of a vehicle. Catalytic converters usually last a very long time but can eventually wear out.

What's is considered a permanent part of a vehicle? It seems like there are some people etching the VIN on the heat shield but I don't see any evidence of that deterring thefts.

Re: Catalytic Converter Theft

#30

Post by GonzaloQuero »

bananapizza wrote: post #28
GonzaloQuero wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're making a mockery of the talking points about defunding the police, then asking people to actually spend time debating you. Please, reconsider the way you argue about things.

If you want to defund the police, how can you possibly prioritize catalytic converter theft, a non-violent crime? Aren’t non-violent crimes what are being de-prioritized?

By reinvesting the excess of money invested in the police into improving society for people, so that less people need to steal.
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