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ORDINANCE NO.22-922 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARTESIA, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 24 (UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROHIBITED) OF TITLE 5 (PUBLIC WELFARE) OF THE ARTESIA MUNICIPAL CODE ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS PROHIBITING THE UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CATALYTIC CONVERTERS IN THE CITY WHEREAS, the citizens of Artesia have experienced catalytic converter thefts from automobiles over the past several years; and WHEREAS, there Is currently no City, State, or Federal legislation applicable within the City of Artesia to define and punish catalytic converter thefts absent an identifiable victim; and WHEREAS, there is currently no City, State, or Federal legislation applicable within the City of Artesia requiring individuals to provide proof to law enforcement as to how they obtained catalytic converters, thus limiting law enforcement's ability to (1) protect the public by preventing catalytic converter thefts and (2) seize suspected stolen catalytic converters when no victim is present; and WHEREAS, catalytic converter thefts are on the rise because individuals are incentivized to commit catalytic converter thefts for multiple reasons including, but not limited to: (1) the ease and undetectable nature of committing such thefts, potentially in a matter of seconds and through the use of common tools such as a reciprocating saw; (2) the ability to recycle catalytic converters at scrap metal yards for high dollar returns ranging from $200 to $1,200 per catalytic converter; and (3) loopholes in legislation protecting criminals from prosecution unless a victim can be identified; and WHEREAS, preventing these crimes at present is nearly impossible due to the ease and speed with which catalytic converter thefts can be committed and the difficulty of tracing a particular catalytic converter back to its prior owner (the victim), because catalytic converters typically have no identifying markers; and WHEREAS, the citizens of Artesia and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are in need of legislation criminalizing mere possession of catalytic converters absent proof of ownership or lawful possession, for multiple reasons including, but not limited to: (1) achieving deterrence by establishing zero -tolerance for catalytic converter thefts; (2) establishing 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 converter theft cases that have gone or will go unsolved for the reasons discussed above; and (5) minimizing the fiscal and personnel impact on the City of Artesia and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department by reducing the time 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 in the form of costly repairs, inconvenience, and feelings of a lack of safety In the community; and. WHEREAS, this Ordinance is necessary to provide the City of Artesia and the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department clear legal authority to better protect the public and deter this criminal activity, NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARTESIA DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The above recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein. 65344.003001349186731