New Haven Independent

Posted by: Deuce | September 30, 2008 9:49 AM

Scrapyards need to be more aware of these trends and not buy "scrap" items such as catalytic converters. C'mon, did these things just fall off the cars and are found lying in the street? Brand new copper piping is also popular with the thieves. Again, the scrapyards need to be aware. Obviously new pipe isn't scrap.

Posted by: norton street | September 30, 2008 9:56 AM

someone should thank these thieves for helping to reduce carbon dioxide pollution that comes from these SUVs, and the owners should be happy that the thieves are causing him to save money in the long term with a more fuel efficient, lower to the ground small car.

Posted by: robn | September 30, 2008 10:35 AM

Scrap dealers turn a blind eye to theft. We need a multistate legal effort to make scrap dealers account for every pound of precious metals that enters adn leaves their yards.

Posted by: anon | September 30, 2008 11:24 AM

Locks are simply a passive form of physical violence. Instead of complaining, buy a new part and work to correct those aspects of society that encouraged the theft to happen in the first place.

Posted by: robn | September 30, 2008 12:42 PM

ANON,

What the hell are you talking about? Violence is by definition physical exertive or in some way active. It can't be passive.

Posted by: CS | September 30, 2008 4:39 PM

This looks like a scam by Mr. McCarthy to get 5 minutes of fame. I mean, look at the picture he provided...

Posted by: Melissa | September 30, 2008 7:36 PM

My Honda CRV has had the "cat" stolen twice in six months. The cost to replace has been $2771.00 each occurance. I no longer can carpool with co-workers because the car is not safe in the Orange Park and Ride.

Posted by: Josh Smith | October 1, 2008 11:09 AM

So glad I ride my bike to work most days now -- what are thieves gonna steal, my chainring? My brake levers? Good luck with that, thieves.. you can't hide underneath my bike to dismantle part of it. :)

Seriously though, Park and Ride lots do have issues. I believe they should be fenced in, with at least one security person there at all times. Though that would cost the city money (and hopefully they wouldn't charge to use park and ride lots, or if they did, it could be kept to an amount that's dirt-cheap compared to the cost to park in cities), it would encourage use of the park and ride lots for carpooling and hopping on buses, because it would curb a lot o' the plunderin'. Darn cat-pirates.

Posted by: Deuce | October 1, 2008 1:00 PM

"So glad I ride my bike to work most days now -- what are thieves gonna steal, my chainring? My brake levers?"

No, the whole bike.

Posted by: Anona | October 1, 2008 4:40 PM

The catalytic converter from my vehicle was ripped out about 6 weeks ago when it was parked on Greene Street in Wooster Square. My repair cost over $500. Neighbors told me that another resident, who parked in front of the old St. Casimir's Church, had her catalytic converter stolen a week before mine. City officials recognize that some nearby scrap dealers are taking suspect items without registering the information they are required to obtain from sellers. I appreciate that scrap dealers serve an important and necessary role in recycling. But because these businesses have become the locus of criminal activity, the city needs to rethink the permits they grant and make the permit holders' record keeping requirements serve a public security purpose. If the city can't enforce the permit requirements and protect residents, the city should suspend granting the permits.

Posted by: abg | October 2, 2008 2:36 AM

how do we know it's not the garages ripping these things off to get extra business?