Fewer catalytic converters are being reported as stolen thanks to an anti-theft initiative that offers the public a way to deter criminals.

Winnipeg Crime Stoppers, along with Manitoba Justice and the Winnipeg Police Services have collaborated on a multi-dimensional approach to decrease the incidence of catalytic converter thefts.

Thanks to the funding from Criminal Property Forfeiture, Crime Stoppers continues to offer an engraving initiative called "Save Your Cat," where owners can bring their vehicles to auto service centres and have their catalytic converter engraved with the vehicle serial number and painted with a high visibility paint.

This program is a deterrent for thieves, as an engraved (stolen) cat will not be accepted at a scrap dealer since the new Provincial scrap metal act was enacted.

Seventy local shops have offered this service at no cost to the vehicle owner when it is in for other service work. The WPS has noticed that there is an 80 per cent drop in the first six months of 2023 compared to 2022, in Winnipeg it still represents almost $1,000,000 of stolen converters.

They have recorded a 70 per cent drop province-wide during this time.

These thefts are still occurring at an alarming rate across Canada and the U.S., and the WPS has shared program details with other jurisdictions to address their thefts (BC, Alberta, New Brunswick). 

The MMDA (Manitoba Motor Dealers Association) has greatly supported this program, with thirty local dealers participating and more to come.

For July and August, Crime Stoppers will also offer double the cash awards up to $2000 for information on persons committing these thefts or purchasing stolen catalytic converters.