Don’t Let the Ghosts Steal the Catalytic Converter From your Vehicle!

You are invited to participate in a free catalytic converter “etching” workshop on Wednesday, October 29th.  The workshop will run from 9:00 am to Noon at Southern Maine Community College’s Johnson Automotive Technology Center, 2 Fort Road, in South Portland.  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.

SMCC students from the Johnson Automotive Technology Center will assist with the marking of the catalytic converters.  A catalytic converter reduces harmful emissions from a vehicle’s exhaust system.  They contain small amounts of precious metals, such as platinium, 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 thousands of dollars according to the press release issued yesterday by the Secretary of State’s office.

“This event will give vehicle owners an opportunty to proactively protect themselves and their vehicles,” said Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, whose office is one of the sponsors of the event. “Programs such as this upcoming event are part of the innovative anti-theft steps the state has taken to protect consumers as well as the environment and we appreciaate SMCC’s partnership with BMV to bring this opportunity to southern Maine consumers.  The Bangor area event in April was very popular and we hope to see strong turnout in South Portland on Ocdtober 29, too. ”

“This upcoming event at SMCC is the Bureau of Motor Vehicles latest event and we are happy to bring this opportunity to consumers in the Portland metro arrea,” said Derek F. Dinsmore, Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Services Division.  “Catalytic converters are easly accessible and fairly easy to remove, making them a quick and easy way for thieves to profit from your loss while leaving you with the headache and the expense.  Marking a vehicle’s catalytic converter takes just a few minutes and it’s an easy way to avoind being victimized.”