the police and the car workshop organize an event to mark the catalytic converters

TIGARD Ore. (KPTV) – Tigard Police and a local auto shop held an event on Saturday to mark catalytic converters and make them a bit harder to steal, or at least easier to collect.

Police said that from September 2021 to September 2022, they received 222 reports of stolen converters in Tigard.

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“If we pull over a vehicle, which we’ve had in the past, we’ve seen catalytic converters in their vehicle but we haven’t been able to match it to a readily available victim,” the chief said. Tigard Police, Kathy Mcalpine. “So should we see that with tagging and the rest of our agencies in Washington County see that, then maybe they can follow up, connect the dots and we can hold somebody accountable for a theft real.”

Community members were invited to bring their cars to Tigard SUV and Auto Repair and get a number painted and engraved on their converter for free. Nearly 50 people took advantage of the service.

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Teri Zimmerly said she came because a former workplace had been hit by several thefts of catalytic converters.

“So I thought it would be a good idea and walked out today,” Zimmerly said. “I can park outside now and not have to worry.”

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