NEW ROCHELLE – There seems to be an epidemic of catalytic converter thefts from under vehicle of late.
Thieves are crawling under cars and cutting those devices out of the exhaust system. The reason? The platinum they contain.
The City of New Rochelle is doing something novel about the problem by launching “Cat Scratch” in an effort to stem the tide of the thefts.
Increased patrols and targeting efforts have resulted in several arrests and the police have added another weapon to their arsenal.
Using the facilities of the Department of Public Works, serial numbers were etched onto catalytic converters of participating New Rochelle residents who have been victimized by the crime.
That number is registered in a database that can be accessed by police officers when they recover a stolen converter.
The process takes 20 minute and is free. Plans are in the works to provide the service to all New Rochelle residents in the future.
