Posted on 8/25/2021
Over the past couple years, Denver has seen a large uptick in the amount of catalytic converter (“cat”) thefts. Denver PD reported a 1,613% increase in cat theft between 2019 and 2020. The growth trend has continued strongly through 2021. It leads us to wonder, why there is so many thefts, and why would somebody want to steal my catalytic converter? Many other cities across the nation such as Dallas, Honolulu, Missoula, Montana, Orlando, Rochester, and San Francisco are similarly reporting a large spike in vehicle and catalytic converter thefts. Oceanside Police Department in California has predicted catalytic converter thefts to rise up to 30% in the next two years. Many experts are attributing these crimes to the pandemic. With the loss of community and youth outreach programs, many at-risk youths have resorted to criminal activity. Moreover, the economic downturn, loss of jobs, and cuts to law enforcement budgets since the start of the pandemic have further flamed vehicl ... read more