Why Businesses Have To Tackle Catalytic Converter Theft

More thieves are targeting store parking lots, car dealerships, and parking garages for catalytic converters.

Thieves can cause between $900 and $2,500 of damage in just two minutes by sawing off a catalytic converter, which are prized for its valuable metals platinum, rhodium, and palladium.

It’s time to stop those thieves targeting your business parking lots; our LotGuard experts discuss the preventive measures you can take to protect your lot.

What is a Catalytic Converter?

In the mid-1970s, catalytic converters were produced in cars and quickly became universally used. They are a part of a car’s exhaust system that converts harmful engine-exhaust pollutants into something less harmful to the environment through a chemical reaction. This is done with the aid of those precious metals mentioned above.

Catalytic converters are usually about the size of a loaf of bread. They are positioned in the exhaust system between the engine and the muffler.

Why are Catalytic Converters being Stolen?

Money. Plain and simple.

The rise in the price of a converter’s three valuable metals results in a higher cost for the coverer itself – and higher values for converters as scrap, as the metals can be recovered and sold.

The metals they contain are valuable and can sell for up to $2,500; therefore, thieves are cutting them out from under a car in a parking lot.

How are Catalytic Converters Stolen?

They target cars parked in lots because they can come and go easily and blend in with other foot traffic without being suspected.

Also, parking lots are often open spaces with poor lighting conditions and tend to have minimal security, so there is little chance for thieves to be caught.

How do you tackle Catalytic Converter Theft?

Catalytic converters are still required for vehicles, and your employees and visitors will continue to drive to your business.

This theft is a crime of opportunity, so we need to relinquish that opportunity and make it harder for thieves to attempt to steal from you.

While these methods below cannot stop it entirely, they may reduce and protect vehicles on your property:

1. Encourage staff and customers to park close to the buildings

2. Invest in lighting around the lot

3. Deploy surveillance cameras

4. Remain vigilant

One way to secure your property is with mobile surveillance trailers from LotGuard; our units are the perfect deterrent as they are up to 20ft tall.

Visitors to your business and those potential thieves will instantly see the cameras, stopping them from malicious acts and helping those innocents feel safer due to extra security.

LotGuard PRO Solar Surveillance Trailers are a fully autonomous security system that provides 24/7 security to your parking lots and properties without needing mounting poles, onsite power, or an internet connection.

These cameras deliver live and recorded video through the latest LTE transmission technology, allowing for remote viewing of live and archived video at any time, regardless of location.

Lastly, you should know that they work. LotGuard Trailers can help prevent catalytic converter thefts. They are equipped with multiple cameras, lights, and a two-way speaker to help scare thieves away from your property.

Watch it work in the video below.

Parking Lot Surveillance Trailers to protect against Catalytic Converter thefts

If you own a commercial parking lot, property, or dealership and are concerned about protecting vehicles from catalytic convertor theft, speak to LotGuard today.

LotGuard surveillance units are the ultimate security solution for surface lots and vehicle storage facilities. They detect, deter, mitigate, and report criminal activity 24/7/365.

We can provide LotGuard regardless of your site's power or internet availability; they are fully autonomous surveillance units.

Get in touch about our Solar Surveillance Trailers Today

Daniel del Soldato

Head of Communications

Daniel has been at Wireless CCTV over 10 years and has accumulated a vast wealth of knowledge when it comes to CCTV products and the way they operate. In his spare time Daniel likes to listen to music, watch football and spend quality time with his family.