The Calgary Police Service is working with Kal Tire to attempt to fight catalytic converter thefts within the metropolis.
Beginning Wednesday, automobile homeowners will be capable to have their automobile identification quantity (VIN) engraved on their catalytic converter, based on a CPS information launch.
If a catalytic converter is stolen, marking the half as stolen property will probably be tracked by the Canadian Police Info Heart (CPIC) database, says CPS.
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Scrap steel recycling corporations and personal consumers can establish probably stolen catalytic converters if they’re engraved and if the vendor can not present proof of possession. They must report it to the police, CPS mentioned.
It comes after CPS obtained 3,174 stories of stolen catalytic converters between January and November final yr. That is a 103 p.c enhance from 2021, when police noticed a reported 1,560 catalytic converter thefts.
Roughly 205 and 300 catalytic converter thefts had been reported in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
Police mentioned catalytic converters are sometimes stolen due to the worth of valuable metals used to make them. They’re additionally simple to steal, and CPS mentioned they’ve obtained stories of thefts taking place in broad daylight.
Nonetheless, these thefts are largely underreported, based on CPS.
“We’re conscious that a lot of catalytic converter thefts go unreported as a result of folks fear that they’re tying up police sources, or that it will likely be too tough for the suspect to be tracked down and held accountable,” mentioned Const. Brent Podesky mentioned in an announcement.
“It will be important for residents to know that each report, irrespective of how small, is taken severely and helps us develop prevention initiatives, such because the engraving program with Kal Tire.”
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These seeking to have their catalytic converter engraved could make an appointment at any Kal Tire throughout Calgary from Wednesday till the top of March. It’s going to price $40 per appointment and can take about an hour, CPS mentioned.
It’s going to additionally embrace a free visible tire and brake inspection, Wednesday’s information launch mentioned.
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