The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is putting out a worldwide challenge to stop the theft of catalytic converters.
Catalytic converters are stolen to recycle the metals inside, such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium -- some catalytic converters that can cost thousands of dollars.
Unfortunately, catalytic converter thefts have been on the rise. In the last three years, thefts in Edmonton have increased 219 per cent.
In 2021 alone there were over 4,700 catalytic converter thefts in Alberta. Over half of these thefts were in Edmonton. It's estimated that replacements and repairs cost Edmontonians nearly $13-million that year.
Although police across Alberta have been hard at work catching these thieves, residents and businesses alike are still getting hit hard.
In response to this surge of thefts, EPS is announcing their Catalytic Converter Challenge, which is a worldwide challenge to seek ideas and technological innovations to help solve the problem. If you can think of a viable solution, you may be eligible for the $50,000 grand prize.
This challenge is an opportunity for residents, inventors, and entrepreneurs to reduce crime not only in their community but potentially around the world.
Chief Dale McFee of EPS says that we need a game-changer to help stop the thefts of catalytic converters.
“More must be done to protect vehicle owners from this costly crime, and this challenge will help generate the ideas and innovations needed to reduce auto part crime and ultimately provide peace of mind," McFee said.
The deadline for entries is Nov. 30. To enter the challenge, you can visit their website at www.herox.com/catalytic.