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September 13, 2021
I hope everyone has been adjusting to the increased traffic as school is now fully back in session. We wanted to thank this community for being cautious when driving, especially during school drop offs and pickups. It has been quite a while since we have had students walking to and from school and had the extra vehicle traffic during the mornings and afternoon. Thank you for being patient with one another and respecting the rules of the road.
In addition to increased traffic, we have been seeing a rise in catalytic converter thefts from vehicle exhaust systems. Catalytic converters contain platinum, rhodium, and palladium. The metals are expensive, and thieves sell the converters to scrap yards for several hundred dollars per piece. It can cost you on average up to $2000 to replace a catalytic converter and it is illegal to drive your car without one. The resulting gap in your exhaust system also makes the car run poorly until it is fixed. Thieves usually look for easy targets when it comes to catalytic converter theft. Here are a few simple steps to make your vehicle a less likely target:
- Always park in well-lit areas when possible.
- If you have a personal garage, keep your car in the garage with the door closed when the vehicle is not in use.
- Park close to a building entrance or to the nearest access road when parking in a public lot.
- Security devices are available that attach to the converter, making it harder to steal.
- Having the converter welded in place also makes it more difficult to remove.
- If you have a security system on your car, calibrate it so vibration sets it off. This ensures the alarm activates if a thief tries to saw off the converter.
- Video surveillance around your garage or driveway is also useful.
- Engrave your VIN number onto your catalytic converter to make it easier to identify in case it does get stolen.
And, as always, if you see something suspicious, please call us! Please be observant in your neighborhoods; we always work better with your support!
Respectfully,
Rick Greenberg
Chief of Police
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