Long Beach police are offering to help residents deter catalytic converter theft by marking it with their vehicle information.
In partnership with the city’s Fleet Services Bureau, the police department will etch the vehicle’s identification number or license plate number on the catalytic converter. The process can help investigations if a catalytic converter is stolen, and can also deter criminals from stealing the device, according to police.
The free event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 16 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Division Police Station. Long Beach residents can register online.
To attend, the Long Beach resident must be the registered owner of the vehicle and bring a driver’s license and a copy of the vehicle’s registration. Event confirmation is required, and any vehicle without confirmation may not be allowed entry.
Catalytic converters are common targets for thieves because of precious metals that can be resold. A state bill that took effect in January 2024 requires all catalytic converters to be marked with the vehicle identification number, but some older cars may not have this label.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, catalytic converter theft surged, growing close to 293% nationwide in terms of number of claims filed, compared to the year prior, according to data from State Farm.
California led with the highest number of claims filed in the first half of 2024.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the most targeted vehicles in California for the converter theft are Toyota Prius, Honda Element, Honda Accord, Ford Econoline and Honda CRV
In June 2025, Long Beach police reported a decrease from 2024, with 92 incidents of auto burglary, and 102 incidents of grand theft.