§ 9.29.010 — Purpose

9.29.010 - Purpose.

A. The City Council finds that theft of catalytic converters has been an increasing problem in Riverside in recent years. In the City, hundreds of reports of catalytic converter thefts occur annually impacting many victims. The external location of catalytic converters and the use of valuable precious metals, including rhodium, palladium and platinum, in catalytic converters makes these devices a target for thieves. Individuals in possession of stolen catalytic converters often recycle them for substantial profit, while victims of these thefts suffer the consequences of paying thousands of dollars in repairs, the inconvenience of repairing their vehicles, and feeling unsafe in the community. B. Finding the victim of these crimes is extremely difficult due to the manner in which the catalytic converter thefts occur and lack of identifying markers on catalytic converters to link a stolen catalytic converter to the victim. The inability to identify the victims of catalytic converter thefts can inhibit the ability to successfully prosecute individuals for the thefts. This ordinance is necessary to provide the City a means to protect the public, deter this criminal activity, and promote a more productive use of City of Riverside resources. C. In accordance with the California Constitution, Article XI, Section 7, a city may make and enforce within its limits all local, police, sanitary and other ordinances and regulations not in conflict with general laws. D. The purpose and intent of this chapter is to curb the theft of catalytic converters throughout the City and to provide the City with reasonable means to address the impact on the community and the victims posed by increasing catalytic converter thefts.

(Ord. 7695, § 1(Exh. A), 2025)