The Elmwood Park Police Department is calling the village’s efforts to help curtail catalytic converter thefts by offering free alarms for them “an overwhelming success,” and at least one-third of residents authorized to get the alarm have had it installed.
“The feedback we received by residents has been very positive,” police Deputy Chief Andrew Hock told Pioneer Press in an email.
He said the department has received, processed and authorized over 260 applications for residents to receive the alarms. Participating businesses are installing them.
Last month, the village announced a green-lighted program where residents could sign up to get free catalytic converter alarms as part of an effort to decrease the ever-increasing theft of the vehicle part.
The Village Board passed a resolution approving village coverage of the cost of a limited number of alarms, with eligible residents having to only cover a $20 installation fee and register the alarm with the Elmwood Park Police Department.
“A database of catalytic converter alarms will help the police department track theft attempts and will deter thieves from coming into our community to commit these crimes,” police Chief Frank Fagiano said in a news release announcing the program. “By tracking attempted theft, we can also recognize patterns and respond appropriately.”
The plan comes in the wake of a dramatic rise in the theft of vehicle catalytic converters throughout the Chicagoland area – which have become lucrative targets for thieves across the country, officials said in the release.
“The Catalytic Converter Partnership Program is a partnership between the Elmwood Park Police Department and Elmwood Park residents in a proactive effort to deter and reduce catalytic converter thefts and keep our community safe,” Hock told Pioneer Press in his email.
According to the release, resident’s who choose to participate in the program must have a vehicle that has a current village sticker and must register their vehicle with the police department. The participating resident would be responsible for monitoring the alarm and would call 911 if the alarm goes off, the release states.
The village is partnering with area shops, and the alarm must be installed by one of the five businesses.
“This is another tool that we are adding to the Village’s public safety toolbox,” Village President Angelo “Skip” said in the release. “When combined with our database of village and resident security cameras, we are helping to build a safe community where criminals know they cannot take advantage of our residents.”
Hock said the police department still has “an adequate inventory” of alarms available. Residents looking to participate can go online to the village’s website and click the “Catalytic Converter Partnership Program Link,” he explained.
