New NJ law to cut catalytic converter thefts takes effect

SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Amid a national spike in catalytic converter

SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Amid a national spike in catalytic converter thefts, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a new law this week aimed at reducing those thefts by limiting how they can be resold.

It only takes a few minutes to steal the catalytic converter from a car. Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald says he noticed the increased number of thefts from 2019 to 2020, and it just kept going that way.

"In 2020, that number jumped 326%," said Greenwald. He said he wanted to write a bill after someone took the catalytic converters from buses Cherry Hill Township uses to shuttle seniors around to grocery stores and medical appointments.

"Those buses allow them to remain independent in their daily lives," he said.

Under the new law, which takes effect immediately, scrap and junk yards have to ask more questions — including requesting vehicle identification numbers and ownership documentation — when receiving those parts. In most cases, the parts should only be sold by the vehicle owner or a company that buys and sells car parts.

"You put that business now in the middle of the responsibility of not being able to take those illegal black market catalytic converters," said Greenwald.

The lawmaker said he's been in contact with representatives in Pennsylvania and other states about penning similar legislation to give criminals fewer places to go with stolen property.

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