Worldwide challenge: $50K to solve problem of catalytic converter thefts
Posted August 31, 2022 9:56 am.
Last Updated September 3, 2022 9:41 am.
Edmonton police are issuing a worldwide challenge to anyone willing to tackle an ongoing problem: the theft of catalytic converters.
The catalytic converter is a piece of a vehicle’s exhaust system. It can fetch a couple hundred dollars at a scrap yard, but costs thousands to replace.
The theft of catalytic converters has been a problem in Edmonton and throughout Alberta in recent years.
The province passed legislation in 2020 requiring dealers to report transactions involving catalytic converters to law enforcement, and for all payments to be made using traceable forms of currency, such as electronic transfers or cheques.
Sellers also need to provide a government-issued photo ID.
Catalytic converter thefts up 219%: police data
Despite the new legislation, thefts continue to happen.
Edmonton police say there were 4,797 reported catalytic converter thefts in Alberta last year – with 55 per cent of those happening in Edmonton.
EPS says it has already seen an increase in the first six months of 2022.
Police estimate Edmontonians paid nearly $13 million last year in costs related to the thefts.
“Unfortunately, thefts in the city have continued to increase 219 per cent over the last three years,” police said in a release.
Most recent catalytic converter theft charges
Just this week RCMP arrested two people. A 42-year-old woman from Fort Saskatchewan and 39-year-old man from St. Albert are facing charges.
Fort Saskatchewan RCMP say they found the pair hiding from police in a pickup truck. Officers allege they found a power saw and a cut catalytic converter in their possession.
READ MORE:
- ‘They’re grinches:’ Edmonton food bank has catalytic converter stolen from delivery trucks
- Edmonton police warn of catalytic converter thefts from motorhomes
- Catalytic converter thefts continue at high rates despite 2020 Act from province
To combat the trend, the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) and the Edmonton Police Foundation (EPF) say they are launching a $50,000 Catalytic Converter Challenge.
The goal is to receive “ideas and technological innovations from the public to help solve the problem.”
Police say the prize money was thanks to a contribution from Millennium Insurance Corporation.
EPS Chief Dale McFee, EPF Chair Ashif Mawji and Paul Gregory from the Criminal Intelligence Service of Alberta (CISA) formally announced the challenge at a press conference Wednesday morning.
“We need to make it much harder for criminals to steal or sell them, we need a game-changer to help stop this crime of opportunity,” said McFee.
“More must be done to protect vehicle owners from this costly crime, and this challenge will help generate the ideas and innovations needed to reduce auto part crime and ultimately provide peace of mind.”
—With files from Laura Krause
