Beaumont, CA - In a unanimous decision, the City of Beaumont City Council passed an ordinance (https://www.beaumontca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/38580/Ordinance-Catalytic-Converters) prohibiting the unlawful possession of catalytic converters. The increased value of precious metals found in converters has led to a rise in catalytic converter thefts nationally, with California leading the country.
The newly passed ordinance makes it unlawful to possess a catalytic converter not attached to a motor vehicle. The ordinance also requires that anyone with a catalytic converter provide immediate proof of lawful possession to law enforcement upon request. Such proof may include:
• A bill of sale from the original owner with photographs;
• Documentation from an auto-body shop; or
• Other types of proof as defined in the ordinance.
If someone is stopped with a catalytic converter and cannot provide the proper proof of lawful possession, this ordinance allows officers to issue an administrative violation. Violators of this ordinance would be guilty of a misdemeanor and may be fined up to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both. The ordinance will take effect starting on December 8, 2023.
“Protecting our community is a shared responsibility,” said Mayor Julio Martinez III. “This new ordinance provides our police department another tool to combat catalytic converter thefts.”
Chief of Police Sean Thuilliez states, “The passage of this ordinance is a proactive approach to the rise in catalytic converter thefts and provides an alternative means to help deter theft in the City of Beaumont.”
The Beaumont Police Department encourages residents to report suspicious activity to the Police Department by dialing 9-1-1 or the non-emergency line at 951-769-8500. Together, we can help to reduce crime in the City of Beaumont.