The Oceanside Police Department invites you to attend a Catalytic Converter Etching Event on Saturday, May 13, 2023, from 7:00 am – 12:30 pm. The event is hosted by Crash Champions, located at 510 Jones Road in Oceanside. This event is part of a multifaceted strategy that the Oceanside Police Department has implemented to address catalytic converter thefts occurring nationwide.

Catalytic converters are vehicle parts that contain valuable platinum group metals like rhodium, iridium, and palladium. The increase in these thefts coincides with the cost of these precious metals and the demand for catalytic converters due to increasing vehicle emission regulations.  Criminals can steal your catalytic converter in moments, using tools found at hardware stores, leaving you with costly parts to replace and repair.

Matching a stolen catalytic converter to the vehicle it was stolen from is essential in pursuing a criminal case against the thieves. Police urge car owners to engrave their vehicle's identification number on their converter to link the part to their car. The engraving can also alert buyers to stolen parts. This will also help investigators reunite you with your vehicle part and potentially prevent the cost of replacement. Participating in a catalytic converter etching event is a proactive measure you can take to assist law enforcement in combatting this crime trend.

All participants will have their catalytic converters etched with an identifying number. This etching will provide law enforcement with valuable information should it be stolen and later located by law enforcement personnel during subsequent investigations. Oceanside Police personnel will be available throughout the day to provide valuable tips to help keep your vehicle safe. This event is provided at no cost to participants.

Participants are encouraged to register for an appointment time. To register please visit bit.ly/ETCHCATCH

 Park your vehicle in a secured garage, driveway, or fenced area.
 Park in a well-lit area.
 Secure your converter. Many auto shops offer services to further secure converters. Bolts may be welded shut, and clamps and/or cages/shields can be added as another layer of protection.
 Mark or etch the converter with the VIN # or plate #. This proactive measure will aid law enforcement in arrests and investigations.
 Please immediately contact law enforcement should you see behavior indicating a theft is in progress or hear any sounds of power tools being used in the late evening and early morning hours