Spencer Pruitt
Reporter
Catalytic converter theft is on the rise again on Pacific Lutheran University’s campus, and across Washington State as well. Relief is potentially on its way, with the Washington State Legislature weighing a proposed bill to help prevent catalytic converter theft.
In the first half of February, PLU saw two catalytic converter thefts, already matching or surpassing the total thefts from November, December and January.
A solution may be around the corner, however. Senate Bill 5495, a bipartisan bill aimed at reducing the theft of catalytic converters has been proposed in the Washington State Senate. If passed, the bill would put restrictions on who scrap dealers can purchase catalytic converters from. The bill would also require scrap buyers to confirm ownership before making a catalytic converter purchase, and would charge buyers with a misdemeanor if they purchase a stolen catalytic converter. There would also be a five day delay on any cash purchases. Currently the bill has passed committee and is in the senate rules committee. Follow updates on the bill’s progress here.
Meanwhile, here on campus, catalytic converter theft continues, with 25 catalytic converter thefts since the beginning of the school year. Additionally, there have been four other documented attempted thefts in which the suspects were not successful. In September there were 15 catalytic converter thefts on campus, five in October, one in November, two in December, zero in January, and two in the first half of February according to Shawn Thompson, Interim Director of Campus Safety at PLU.
Car owners can help prevent catalytic converter theft, Thompson said. He added that PLU Campus Safety wants to “encourage students to consider contacting their mechanic to see if there are specific recommendations for their specific vehicle. Be alert and immediately report suspicious behavior to Campus Safety.”
“We have a very dedicated Campus Safety team that has been working hard to prevent these kinds of crimes,” Thompson said. “They patrol campus and monitor cameras, then attempt to intervene (as safety allows) when suspicious or criminal activity occurs.”
There are simple steps we can all take to prevent these incidents.
To help prevent catalytic converter theft or any forms of vehicular theft and damage consider the following (courtesy of campus safety):
- Moving your vehicle to a different spot or lot every couple of days
- Parking in a well-lit spots
- Parking where your car is in a well visible spot, where others can see it
- Parking inside a garage, or gated lot/area when possible
- Installing a security device on your catalytic converter
- Engraving car’s VIN number to the catalytic converter
- Install car security system detecting vibrations or movement
- Don’t leave any valuables in your vehicles
- Report any suspicious activity to campus security if on campus, at ext.7911 (on campus phone) or 253-535-7911 from your cell phone. Off-campus, report suspicious activity to the local police department. For life threatening emergencies, always call 911.
