Thefts of catalytic converters in New York City have almost quadrupled in 2022 compared to 2021. Now the state has passed legislation that seeks to reduce these thefts.
Thefts of Catalytic Converters continued
Interagency cooperation and enforcement are key to addressing this statewide issue. New York State Police and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles are directed to leverage their existing partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement to increase investigations and crackdowns in high-theft areas. These investigations often involved organized theft operations that cross state lines.
In New York City, the New York Police Department initially reported that catalytic converter thefts have almost quadrupled in 2022. There have been 5,548 catalytic converter thefts in the city as of August 14, in comparison to 1,505 thefts during the same period in 2021.
Catalytic converter thefts in Nassau County are reportedly up 248 percent so far this year. There are also nearly three times as many catalytic converter thefts so far this year in Suffolk County. According to reports, last year in Nassau County, 445 catalytic converters were stolen, and this year a total of 1,549 converters were stolen. In Suffolk County, 289 converters were stolen in 2021 and 819 so far this year in 2022.
