Catalytic Converter Marking Event Held October 29, 2022
Last Saturday, the Village sponsored a catalytic converter marking event in the parking lot of the Police Department, painting the word POLICE in bright neon orange heat resistant paint on over 100 cars. This event was intended to bring awareness to the rising theft of catalytic converters across the Chicagoland area and attempt to deter would be criminals from targeting our community. In 2022 alone, Chicago has seen the theft of catalytic converters nearly triple in number in a one year period. This increase matches a trend seen across the country and leaves their victims with a whole lot of headaches.
Repair bills to replace the emissions-filtering converters can run into the thousands of dollars. Supply chain disruptions mean the wait for replacement parts can take months, leaving drivers with cars that suddenly roar “like a cross between a lawn mower and a race car", according to an article published in the Chicago Tribune in early September.
Why are people stealing catalytic converters?
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, thefts are taking off because the value of precious metals found inside catalytic converters has skyrocketed. The three rarest precious metals in catalytic converters are Platinum, Palladium and Rhodium, which are going for $882, $1,906 and $12,500 an ounce, respectively.
The cars most likely to have their catalytic converters stolen include:
- 1985-2021 Ford F-Series
- 1989-2020 Honda Accord
- 2007-17 Jeep Patriot
- 1990-2022 Ford Econoline
- 1999-2021 Chevrolet Silverado
- 2005-21 Chevrolet Equinox
- 1997-2020 Honda CR-V
- 1987-2019 Toyota Camry
A special shout out goes out to the North Riverside Police and Public Works Departments and Nobs Towing who assisted residents during this event. Thank you!