Kern County supervisors have approved a new ordinance aimed at cracking down on catalytic converter thefts, making it illegal to possess a detached converter without proof of ownership.
The ordinance, passed in July, expands accountability beyond thieves to include recycling centers that accept stolen converters. County officials said the change ensures recyclers can now be held responsible for receiving stolen property.
“What this did is not only on the end of you’re in possession of a catalytic converter as a thief, you’re going to be held accountable, but those recycle centers where the thieves would take those products to and try and unload them, they’re going to be culpable now too,” said 2nd District Supervisor Chris Parlier…