When I was in school, classes would sometimes be canceled for snow or if it was too cold for the buses’ heaters to keep up, but this is a new one for me. An Indiana school district recently had to cancel in-person classes after the catalytic converters were stolen from several buses.
The district reported about 20 buses missing catalytic converters, which are popular targets for thieves due to the pricey raw materials used to make them. While classes continued virtually, the disruption came on just the fifth day of school, and it leaves many families without answers as to how their kids will get to school.
Tens of thousands of catalytic converter thefts were reported in 2023, and there were likely many more than went unreported. The components contain platinum, rhodium, palladium, and other materials that yield a surprising amount of money.
While it’s too late for the school district, there are a number of steps that can be taken to prevent theft. Many people install shields or cages that make it more difficult to remove the converter, while others recommend etching or engraving the vehicle identification number (VIN) into the catalytic converter. There are also a number of products that promise to prevent theft, including clamps, locks, and shields.
[Images: Rawf8 via Shutterstock.com, LanaG via Shutterstock.com, Felipe Sanchez via Shutterstock.com]
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