MOTION-- Over the weekend of December 25, 2021, thieves broke into a city yard in North Hollywood
and stole the catalytic converters from 39 city vehicles. The theft cost an estimated loss to
taxpayers of nearly $74,000. In addition, none of the vehicles could be used to serve the
public until they could be repaired.

This was not the first such crime. Previously, in March of 2021, a city yard in Lincoln
Heights was also broken into, and another 68 vehicles were robbed of their catalytic
converters.

Especially in light of the value of the city assets contained in these yards, these break-ins
raise serious concerns about whether adequate security and loss-prevention practices are
being implemented.

The theft of catalytic converters in particular is widespread nationwide, and has gotten
worse because of recent dramatic increases in the salvage value of their components. Theft
of other metal items similarly has increased for the same reason. The risk to the taxpayers
of theft of city vehicles and other assets therefore continues to be significant.

I THEREFORE MOVE that the Council INSTRUCT the Chief Legislative Analyst, in concert
with the Board of Public Works, the Police Department, the General Services Department
and any other relevant departments, to report within 30 days on thefts that have occurred
at city facilities over the last two years that have resulted in significant losses or damage to
city assets;

I FURTHER MOVE that the Council INSTRUCT the Chief Legislative Analyst, in concert with
the City Administrative Officer, the Board of Public Works, the Police Department, and the
General Services Department, report within 30 days with recommendations for appropriate
and cost-efficient measures to reduce such losses and damage, and the budget and staffing
needs to implement them;

I FURTHER MOVE that these reports specifically address the particular risk of catalytic
converter theft from city' vehicles; and

I FURTHER MOVE that the Council INSTRUCT the Board of Public Works to work with the
Police Department to explore methods to apprehend the perpetrators of such thefts and the
purchasers of the stolen items, including the notion of affixing GPS trackers to some
catalytic converters and other commonly-stolen items.