Peninsula City Readies To Offer Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Devices

SAN MATEO, CA — Residents in this Peninsula city will soon be able to substantially reduce the risk of becoming catalytic converter theft victims.

The San Mateo Police Department has purchased 500 CATGUARD self-install making kits designed to thwart catalytic converter theft, the agency said.

The marking kits include two ultra-destruct labels with an identification number (that will break into pieces if an attempt is made to remove it), metal etching fluid, two windows stickers, and information on how to register in the CATGUARD database.

Residents can sign up for the program starting on Friday.

Catalytic converters have become attractive theft targets amid the pandemic, especially in California, where over 10,000 theft cases associated with the device were reported between July 2021 and June 2022.

The SMPD selected CATGUARD kits because they can easily be installed by a lay person.

The agency said the program aligns with a new law regulating sales of the devices. SB-1087 goes into effect Jan. 1 of next year.

“Catalytic converter theft is a problem that requires a proactive, timely, and innovative response,” San Mateo Police Department Chief Ed Barberini said in a statement.

“This program, in conjunction with new legislation, actively addresses this challenging issue and seeks to significantly limit one’s ability to profit from this type of crime. I am excited about the implementation of this program and grateful to our partners for helping to make this possible. I look forward to solid and tangible results from this effort.”

The SMPD hopes to make more CATGUARD kits available.

To sign up for San Mateo’s Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Program, visit here.