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City of Huntington Beach
File #: 21-900 MEETING DATE: 11/16/2021
Submitted by Mayor Pro Tem Delgleize - Adopt an Ordinance to prohibit the unlawful possession of
Catalytic Converters
Direct the City Manager, Police Chief, and City Attorney to draft an ordinance to prohibit the unlawful
possession of catalytic converters and present it to the City Council for further consideration.
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CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
CITY COUNCIL MEETING — COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BARBARA DELGLEIZE, MAYOR PRO TEM
DATE: NOVEMBER 16, 2021
SUBJECT: ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT THE UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CATALYTIC
CONVERTERS
California currently leads the nation in catalytic converter thefts, which have increased significantly over
the past year. According to a report by State Farm Insurance, more than 3 out of 10 claims for catalytic
converter thefts are filed in California, and thefts have risen nationally by 293% in Fiscal Year 2020-21.
Catalytic converters can be found underneath a vehicle and reduce the amount of pollutants released
from the exhaust system. However, the precious metals contained inside this auto part (i.e. platinum,
palladium or rhodium) make them a valuable commodity on the black market, and the speed with which
it can be removed make them an easy and lucrative target.
These thefts create major financial and logistical burdens for our community members, and here in
Huntington Beach, the Police Department is well-aware of this trend. Officers have hosted multiple public
events to etch identification numbers onto catalytic converters, making them traceable and less attractive
on the black market. HBPD has also paired this program with regular outreach and education about
parking vehicles in well-lit areas and installing protective cages.
However, it remains difficult to halt the transportation,sale and distribution of catalytic converters within
the City's existing laws. Police Officers who spot an individual in possession of an unattached catalytic
converter are currently unable to ask for proof of ownership.
While preventative measures are enormously helpful, I believe the City can utilize municipal tools to help
reduce the illegal distribution of catalytic converters after they are stolen. An ordinance that allows our
Police Officers to require proof of ownership for unattached catalytic converters is one step that the City
can take to slow this costly trend.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Direct the City Manager, Police Chief, and City Attorney to draft an ordinance to prohibit the unlawful
possession of catalytic converters and present it to the City Council for further consideration.
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