The Washington Democrats just kissed off on a subject that
deeply touches many citizens.

from
https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/wa-lawmakers-say-tough-luck-to-victims-of-catalytic-converter-theft/

WA lawmakers say tough luck to victims of catalytic converter theft
April 17, 2023 at 2:17 pm
In 2021 in Washington state, there were 12,000 reported thefts of
catalytic converters. Pictured are stolen catalytic converters recovered
by the Phoenix Police Department. (Phoenix Police Department via AP, 2022)

In 2021 in Washington state, there were 12,000 reported thefts of
catalytic converters. Pictured are stolen catalytic converters recovered
by the Phoenix Police Department. (Phoenix Police Department via AP, 2022)
By The Seattle Times editorial board
No doubt state lawmakers will be congratulating themselves for all the
things they accomplished this session. But tens of thousands of
Washingtonians will be cursing them for their irresponsible indolence.

That’s how many people will be affected directly and indirectly by the
scourge of catalytic converter theft. For days, no way to get to work,
get kids to school or soccer, paying deductibles for repairs and,
possibly, all of us paying higher premiums.

A much-needed catalytic converter bill would seem like a no-brainer.
There was even a set of recommendations laid out in a report that
legislators ordered to be completed last year.

But unless there’s the parliamentary equivalent of a last-ditch effort,
folks are expected to leave Olympia on Monday without trying to reduce
this persistent and costly crime. This would be an unacceptable
dereliction of duty.

As part of the Legislature-ordered study, 23 law enforcement agencies
across the state found more than 8,000 police reports were filed on
catalytic converter theft from January to August last year. When the
final numbers for the year are tallied, they are expected to match or
exceed the more than 12,000 reported thefts for all of 2021.

Security cameras have captured thieves stealing a catalytic converter in
about 25 seconds. Because catching people in the act is so difficult,
King County Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Gary Ernsdorff focused
instead on targeting the black market, where stolen items are sold.

Ernsdorff was part of the work group that studied catalytic converter
theft and what to do about it. He took to drafting legislation when he
saw no activity in Olympia this year. “They (lawmakers) created a work
group, they wanted a report. We gave them the report that laid out
exactly what they needed to do, and then crickets,” he said.

In February, the editorial board highlighted Ernsdorff’s efforts to
draft a bill after no one in the Legislature took the initiative. That
got the attention of Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, who had sponsored
previous legislation on this crime.

Wilson and Ernsdorff met with a wide variety of stakeholders including
industrial and scrap metal recyclers. The product was Senate Bill 5740,
which has three main components: a requirement that all purchasers of
catalytic converters be licensed; more stringent record-keeping
requirements for purchases of catalytic converters; and routine law
enforcement inspections of licensed purchasers.

During a hearing in the Senate Law & Justice Committee, the bill had 79
people testify in support, eight against. It passed the committee with
bipartisan support and stalled in Senate Transportation Chair Marko
Liias’ committee. This, even after a legislative employee had a
catalytic converter targeted in the staff parking lot; the Woodland
School District testified about buses not being able to pick up special
needs kids because of repeated thefts; and news of a March 15 bust in
Kennewick that netted more than 500 catalytic converters from a scrap
metal business.

Astonishingly, the House didn’t even take up the bill, even though the
legislation calling for the report originated in that legislative body.

Ernsdorff said he has a clear idea of what will happen in 2023 if the
Legislature punts until next year: “We’ll see tens of thousands of
Washingtonians impacted by this crime. And a lot of frustration in the
criminal justice community that doesn’t have the tools to deal with it.”

Wilson said: “This crime does pay and it is organized. I’m very
disappointed. I will not quit on this. I’m planning to go full steam
ahead (next year).”

Wilson and Ernsdorff and others deserve credit for pushing hard, but it
shouldn’t be a tough call. Legislators — bring SB 5740 to the floor and
have a debate. Such indolence will not be forgotten. Otherwise, vehicle
owners will have every right to lambaste you when they find their
catalytic converter gone and are left with nothing but excuses.

The Seattle Times editorial board members are editorial page editor Kate
Riley, Frank A. Blethen, Alex Fryer, Claudia Rowe, Carlton Winfrey and
William K. Blethen (emeritus).
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On Mon, 24 Apr 2023 16:21:28 -0700, a425couple
<a425couple@hotmail.com> wrote:

>The Washington Democrats just kissed off on a subject that
>deeply touches many citizens.

The millions of Washington State tax payers are not responsible for
reimbursing people for the crimes that are committed against them.