There’s been another wave of numerous catalytic converter thefts in the metro and victims say they’re in need of help. “I’m scared to drive it because I can’t just keep shelling out money,” said Tim Maides. Maides said his catalytic converter was stolen last month. “Never had any issues, woke up that morning, you know, turn the car on, it’s crazy loud. I knew something was up,” Maides said. Just a few weeks later, it happened again, during dinner. “Are you serious? Like, what are the odds? I was right there the whole time,” he said. Getting it replaced was the bigger problem because he has an older car, Maides said it wasn’t covered under his insurance. And some repair shops were asking close to $3,000 for a new one. “Losing hope in humanity. It was, very discouraging, disheartening, you know, you try to do everything right. And then you get punished for it,” Maides said.He said he got a cage to protect his catalytic converter, but he’s looking to the city for more help. “What are you guys going to start doing about this? Because it’s affecting, you know, everyone,” Maides said. “We’ve heard loud and clear. Please help us please do something,” said Vinny Palermo. Councilmember Vice-President Palermo introduced an ordinance during the last city council meeting. After working with Omaha police on ways to deter these thefts from happening in the first place. “With this proposed amendment change, they will have to have a license to have these and if they don’t have one, then it’ll give them the authority to take further action,” Palermo said.What that punishment will look like is up to police. Palermo said the next step is targeting places where thieves can sell catalytic converters. “We’re still going to have to work on the part where they can go to the secondhand vendor to turn in the stolen property,” he said. But for now, Palermo hopes city councilmembers will vote yes to the amendment in March. “We know with the uptick, currently that we need to do something here at the city level. And this is the first step in the right direction,” he said. On a state level, LB994 will be heard next week in the Nebraska Legislature, it aims to place restrictions on purchasing and selling catalytic converters at metal recycling companies.
There’s been another wave of numerous catalytic converter thefts in the metro and victims say they’re in need of help.
“I’m scared to drive it because I can’t just keep shelling out money,” said Tim Maides.
Maides said his catalytic converter was stolen last month.
“Never had any issues, woke up that morning, you know, turn the car on, it’s crazy loud. I knew something was up,” Maides said.
Just a few weeks later, it happened again, during dinner.
“Are you serious? Like, what are the odds? I was right there the whole time,” he said.
Getting it replaced was the bigger problem because he has an older car, Maides said it wasn’t covered under his insurance.
And some repair shops were asking close to $3,000 for a new one.
“Losing hope in humanity. It was, very discouraging, disheartening, you know, you try to do everything right. And then you get punished for it,” Maides said.
He said he got a cage to protect his catalytic converter, but he’s looking to the city for more help.
“What are you guys going to start doing about this? Because it’s affecting, you know, everyone,” Maides said.
“We’ve heard loud and clear. Please help us please do something,” said Vinny Palermo.
Councilmember Vice-President Palermo introduced an ordinance during the last city council meeting.
After working with Omaha police on ways to deter these thefts from happening in the first place.
“With this proposed amendment change, they will have to have a license to have these and if they don’t have one, then it’ll give them the authority to take further action,” Palermo said.
What that punishment will look like is up to police.
Palermo said the next step is targeting places where thieves can sell catalytic converters.
“We’re still going to have to work on the part where they can go to the secondhand vendor to turn in the stolen property,” he said.
But for now, Palermo hopes city councilmembers will vote yes to the amendment in March.
“We know with the uptick, currently that we need to do something here at the city level. And this is the first step in the right direction,” he said.
On a state level, LB994 will be heard next week in the Nebraska Legislature, it aims to place restrictions on purchasing and selling catalytic converters at metal recycling companies.
