City of Springfield recently issued the following announcement.
The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office is reporting an increase in catalytic converter thefts in the Springfield area. The catalytic converters are being stolen off commercial and consumer vehicles alike.
The catalytic converter is part of your vehicle’s exhaust system. It is vulnerable to theft partly because it’s easy to remove, less than 5 minutes in most cases. It also doesn’t require access to the interior of the vehicle, or engine, to disconnect it from your exhaust system. In the event your catalytic converter is stolen, your vehicle will be noticeably louder. The exhaust system will no longer function properly without the converter and will cost you thousands of dollars to replace.
How to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft
Unfortunately, there is almost no way to guarantee your vehicle isn’t a target of theft (catalytic converter or otherwise). There are however a few steps that the police advise you to take that can greatly reduce the chance it happens to your vehicle.
• Park your vehicle inside a garage if you can.
• When possible, park in well-lit areas.
• Install a surveillance system to capture suspicious activity.
• Consider parking your vehicle in a way where it would make it difficult to get under the vehicle.
• Consider engraving your VIN on the catalytic converter.
• Consider spraying the catalytic converter with high-temperature automotive spray paint in a bright color.
• If the vehicle has an alarm, calibrate it to a higher sensitivity so it can detect vibrations.
• Consider getting a catalytic converter protection device. (There are a few options online or make your own).
Keep an eye out for suspicious vehicles and people in your neighborhood. Report any suspicious activities, it could help with tracking potential crime areas that need extra patrols.
Original source can be found here.
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