LA councilwoman blames Toyota for catalytic converter thefts from the Prius — reportedly after she opposed motion targeting the crime

Los Angeles Councilwoman Nithya Raman not too long ago blamed Toyota for catalytic converter thefts from the Prius — and reportedly did so after opposing a council movement focusing on the crime.

What are the main points?

The Westside Current reported that the April 11 council movement — which makes it illegal to own indifferent catalytic converters with out legitimate documentation or different proofs verifying lawful possession — handed 8-4.

The movement additionally famous that almost 8,000 catalytic converter parts had been stolen throughout Los Angeles in 2022 — a whopping 728% enhance since 2018, the Present added.

Raman later spoke at a latest city corridor the place she defended voting no on the council movement, the Present stated.

“On this case, I believe one of many issues that basically infuriates me is that we’ve got an organization … no matter, Toyota, who makes the Prius, that primarily has a tool on their automobiles which is tremendous simple to take away. It’s mainly the worth of a MacBook, proper?” Raman stated. “That’s put in a spot that’s extremely simple to entry in your automobile, after which the thefts associated to this situation have primarily — the entire prices of that — are given to us to bear as an alternative of [Toyota] …”

What else?

In accordance with the National Review, one other councilwoman — Eunisses Hernandez — joined Raman in opposing the movement. Hernandez argued that the movement would “not make our metropolis safer” and will impression Latino and black communities, the NR added.

“This ordinance is a pricey one for town,” Hernandez stated, in response to the NR. “It should result in extra instances for town lawyer. It should result in extra money spent on courts and extra money spent on public defenders.”

Councilman John Lee launched the movement, the NR reported, including that he stated catalytic converter thefts are “hurting individuals” and that it is a crime “we’re permitting, we’re failing to behave on, if we don’t go this in the present day. It is a commonsense measure that merely supplies legislation enforcement with an extra instrument that can shield our communities from rampant and damaging theft.”

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