Calgary changes bylaw to clamp down on illicit catalytic converter sales – Calgary | 24CA News
The City of Calgary is utilizing a brand new tactic to attempt to clamp down on catalytic converter thefts.
On Tuesday, metropolis council voted unanimously to alter the Business Licence Bylaw to make sure catalytic converters can solely change fingers from official patrons and sellers.
Salvage collectors, auto wreckers and salvage yards should preserve a file of the vendor’s particulars, purchaser’s particulars and particulars of the automotive the catalytic converter got here from, like automobile identification quantity (VIN), make, mannequin and yr. Businesses should preserve the gross sales information for one yr.
The bylaw prohibits patrons from buying catalytic converters with out all of that data. Purchasers are additionally not allowed to take away current figuring out markers earlier than or on the time of the sale.
Ward 14 Coun. Peter Demong stated different municipalities in Alberta like Leduc are implementing bylaws to deal with thefts of an auto half can comprise precious valuable supplies like platinum.
“I’m still trying to figure out how to get the province and or the federal government involved because it would be such a much simpler idea to have these things stamped as they’re sold, as opposed to having to try and catch people after the fact,” Demong stated. “This bylaw by itself is an excellent step forward.”
The bylaw change comes after catalytic converter thefts have seen year-over-year will increase.
In 2021, 1,560 thefts had been reported, which greater than doubled to three,439 the subsequent yr. This is on tempo to interrupt that earlier excessive, with 994 reported thefts within the first quarter of 2023.
“The Calgary Police Service is looking at several initiatives to help deter and prevent theft of catalytic converters and hold those who are committing these thefts accountable,” CPS deputy chief Chad Tawfik stated in a press release. “We are pleased to see initiatives like updates to the business bylaw that will make it easier to track the sale of catalytic converters to salvage collectors, auto wreckers and salvage yards, and make it more difficult for people to anonymously sell them and profit from the thefts.”
The metropolis is sending salvage yard companies data and coaching materials to ensure they’re in compliance with the modified bylaw. While there is no such thing as a official grace interval for these companies, town stated it should work with these retailers to assist them undertake the brand new necessities.
The identical necessities for motorized vehicle restore, service and auto physique retailers that promote used auto elements come into impact on Jan. 1, 2024, and might want to add a “salvage collector licence category” to their business licence on the time of renewal.
Fines for breaking the bylaw can run as much as $3000 per offence below the newly-amended bylaw.
Earlier this yr, CPS partnered up with auto restore store chain Kal Tire to supply engraving of VINs into catalytic converters, permitting them to be tracked through police databases if stolen.
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