CORRESPONDENCE - #41 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WHEREAS, the citizens of Irvine and the Irvine Police Department are in need of legislation for multiple reasons including, but not limited to: (1) deterrence by establishing zero -tolerance for catalytic converter thefts, (2) sanctions for possessing stolen catalytic converters, (3) preventing criminals from profiting from the sale and recycling of stolen catalytic converters, (4) providing indirect justice to the victims of catalytic converters whose cases will go unsolved, (5) reducing Part I crime statistics which have been substantially negatively impacted by catalytic converter thefts, and (6) minimizing the fiscal and personnel impact on the City of Irvine invested in deterring and investigating catalytic converter thefts; and WHEREAS, individuals who are in possession of stolen catalytic converters recycle them for substantial profit while victims of these thefts suffer tremendous consequences of paying thousands of dollars in repairs, the inconvenience of repairing their vehicles, and feeling unsafe in the community; and WHEREAS, this Ordinance is necessary to provide the City of Irvine Police Department clearly established legal authority to protect the public and deter this criminal activity. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Irvine DOES HEREBY ORDAIN as follows: SECTION 1. The above recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein. SECTION 2. Section 115 of Chapter 1 of Division 14 of Title 4 of the Irvine Municipal Code is hereby added to read in its entirety as follows: Section 115 of Chapter 1 of Division 14 of Title 4 UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CATALYTIC CONVERTER Sec. 4-14-115. — Unlawful Possession of a Catalytic Converter. A. It shall be unlawful to possess any catalytic converter that is not attached to a vehicle unless the possessor has valid documentation or other proof to verify they are in lawful possession of the catalytic converter. B. For purposes of this section, "lawful possession" includes being the lawful owner of the catalytic converter or in possession of the catalytic converter with the lawful owner's written consent. It is not required to prove the catalytic converter was stolen to establish the possession is not a "lawful possession." C. For purposes of this section, "documentation or other proof' means written document(s) that clearly identify the vehicle from which the catalytic converter originated and includes but is not limited to the following document types: bill of sale from the original owner with photographs, 2 CC ORDINANCE NO. 21-13