Catalytic converter thefts have been on the rise in Nassau County and across the country due to the value of the metals within the devices and the ease with which a thief can remove one.
If a catalytic converter is stolen from your car, it may cost thousands of dollars to replace the part and repair the damage. Moreover, due to supply chain issues, it may take a considerable period of time to complete the repairs.
Recently, I joined with my colleagues and Police Commissioner Ryder to introduce new legislation that will preclude scrap metal dealers in Nassau County from purchasing catalytic converters unless the seller establishes that they legally acquired the device.
The scrap metal dealers will be required to keep records regarding purchases, which must be made available to NCPD and the Department of Consumer Affairs, allowing them to inspect those records to flag any illegal activity and go after the perpetrator.
The cost to replace a catalytic converter can be anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 and experienced thieves can crawl under your car, cut out the catalytic converter, and be gone in under two minutes. The car will still run without a catalytic converter, but it will not be able to pass a yearly inspection.
What thieves are really after are precious metals found in catalytic converters such as platinum, palladium, or rhodium, which make them valuable to scrap metal businesses and more prone to theft.
To further help strengthen its effectiveness the Legislative Majority is also contacting government in Suffolk County and NYC to coordinate a region-wide approach to combat these thefts. Having unified support in the surrounding area will further deter thieves since it will make it more difficult for them to profit from these illegal acts.
The bill will go through the required Legislative Committees and the full Legislature in May where it is expected to pass and be signed into law by County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
Always remember, if you “see something, say something.” Should you notice a suspicious person or vehicle in your neighborhood or when you are out and about, dial 9-1-1 and be ready to provide the police with as much information as possible. License plate numbers are extremely valuable for the police if you can capture that information.
Richard J. Nicolello
Presiding Officer
Nassau County Legislature
