Some vehicles are more targeted by thieves than others.<\/p>\n
For thieves, stealing catalysts is a big deal.<\/p>\n
Now, a police department has outlined which vehicles are most affected in cities like Burnaby.<\/p>\n
Catalytic converters control emissions to reduce pollution, but they were a target for deep due to an increase in the price of metals they contain.<\/p>\n
“We see late 90s to mid-2000s model vehicles being targeted for catalyst theft,” reads a tweet from the New Westminster Police Department account. “Often import vehicles such as the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson or Santa Fe, Kia Sportage, Honda Element and Odyssey, Toyota Prius, and more recently the Honda Accord. SUVs, pick-ups, commercial Cube vans such as the Ford E350 Cube van and Ford F150 are targeted because they sit higher and are easier to get deep.<\/p>\n
Police encourage drivers to park in well-lit areas or in a secure garage. Be aware of suspicious activity or noises around your vehicle. Do not hesitate to call 911 if you see a burglary going on, and document as many suspicious descriptors as possible, police said.<\/p>\n
The British Columbia government recently moved to prevent the theft of catalysts, a crime that costs millions every year.<\/p>\n
The province has changed the regulations for metal dealers and recyclers so that they report any transaction, including seller information, to the police.<\/p>\n
BC’s insurance company says the converter theft claims rose from 89 in 2017 to 1,953 last year, totaling more than $ 4 million in claims costs by 2021.<\/p>\n
Until the regulations change, the converters can be sold without giving information about the seller, so they can remain anonymous.<\/p>\n
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says changing the rules will help police find perpetrators and work to reduce the incentive for people to steal them in the first place.<\/p>\n
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