Vehicle owners can book a time slot to have their catalytic converter etched
AUGUSTA, MAINE – The Bureau of Motor Vehicles’ Enforcement Division (BMV) and Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC) will team up to host a free catalytic converter etching event on Tuesday, April 22. The event will run from 9:00 a.m. to Noon at EMCC (354 Hogan Road, Bangor). Vehicles will be etched on a first come, first served basis, or attendees can register for a preferred time slot by emailing investigations.bmv@maine.gov.
EMCC students from the Criminal Justice and Automotive Technology Programs will assist with the marking of the catalytic converters.
“Preventing catalytic converter thefts in vital to protect both vehicle owners and the air we breathe,” said Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. “Mainers should be proud of the proactive and innovative anti-theft steps the state has taken, and continues to take, to protect consumers and the environment. Through this event on Tuesday, vehicle owners will be able to proactively protect themselves and their vehicles.”
What is a catalytic converter and why are they stolen? A catalytic converter reduces harmful emissions from a vehicle’s exhaust system. They contain small amounts of previous metals, such as platinum, palladium, or rhodium, making them a quick and enticing source of revenue for thieves. No vehicle is immune, but popular targets include large trucks that are easy to access and hybrid vehicles because they contain higher quantities of precious metals. Fluctuating prices for precious metals can lead to spikes in thefts – thieves can fetch hundreds of dollars for stolen converters while replacement can cost the victims as much as $2,500.
Awareness and theft prevention measures help reduce thefts. According to statistics from the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), there was a nearly 900% increase in catalytic converter thefts between 2019 and 2023. A 2022 Maine law added penalties for the theft of catalytic converters while also requiring new and used car dealers to engrave the full vehicle identification number (VIN) onto converters when removed from a vehicle, and a license to sell, purchase, remove, or dispose of converters. Free catalytic converter marking events such as the upcoming event at EMCC further increase the number of converters marked in Maine.
“Catalytic converters are targeted by thieves because they are easily accessible and fairly easy to remove,” said Derek F. Dinsmore, Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Services Division. “Marking their vehicle’s catalytic converters is an easy and cost-effective way for consumers to deter thefts, and we are grateful to EMCC for partnering with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to bring this opportunity to the Bangor area.”
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