Representatives of two metal recycling companies in Lincoln told the City Council on Monday they were willing to work with police to help combat the spike in catalytic converters thefts through tighter regulations, even though they already comply with the law.
“We’re doing the right thing,” said Steve Napoleone, regional branch manager of Sadoff Iron and Metal Co. "I’m boots on the ground. I’m the operations guy. So I see a lot of these individuals coming in. We’re getting their fingerprints, we’re getting their driver’s license, we’re getting their make and model, we’re mailing checks where we have to. So a lot of these individuals stealing right now, they’re not going to come to somebody like us.”
But the recycling and salvage businesses and police are still working out the details.
The City Council was scheduled to vote on the ordinance changes proposed by the Lincoln Police Department, but delayed the vote until Sept. 20.
It’s the third delay since it was originally brought before the council, but Assistant Police Chief Brian Jackson said that’s because they want to work with businesses.
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“We’re working through details for the most appropriate language,” he said.
As of Monday morning, Lincoln police had taken 550 reports of catalytic converter thefts -- more than double the number in all of 2020. In 2015, police got just 14 reports.
Authorities say a rise in the price of precious metals used in catalytic converters has contributed to a national rise in thefts of the devices, which clean the pollutants coming from exhaust before it’s expelled into the air.
Police hope updating a city ordinance to tighten reporting and permit requirements will make it harder to sell stolen catalytic converters and easier to catch those who do.
Don Wesely, who represents Sadoff and Alter, said the companies want to work with police to reach a consensus on the ordinance but in a way that isn’t onerous to the business.
The original draft, he said, was burdensome for scrap recyclers in part because LPD wanted to use a third-party company for electronic reporting of sales. The businesses objected to using that company, which Omaha scrap dealers took to court for practices they found objectionable.
Now, the updated ordinance in Lincoln would require electronic reporting directly to the police department. One of the remaining issues is working out wording that would exempt transactions from one established business to another.
Unfortunately, Wesely said, when cities tighten ordinances, thieves often sell their wares somewhere else, even through the mail.
Napoleone said many of the stolen items are going out of town through a black market where guys drive into town and pay cash for stolen catalytic converters.
“They’re coming in town and taking our business away from Sadoff and Alter (Metal Recycling),” he said. “We want them to be held to the same standard we are.”
Bob Ellis, senior vice president and general counsel for Alter, told the council that despite the spike in thefts in Lincoln, Alter hasn’t seen an increase in the number of catalytic converters it buys.
Even though thieves may find places outside Lincoln to sell the devices, Lincoln still has to do what it can, Ellis said, and the next step might be a change in state law.
Top Journal Star photos for September
Top Journal Star photos for September

Portrait of graffiti artist Micah Mullins, who was commissioned to create a new mural in a little-known tunnel beneath the train tracks at Third and F streets. The project is part of the upcoming Streets Alive festival, sponsored by Partnership for a Healthy Lincoln. The mural depicts the neighborhood’s identity – a train, Quinn Chapel, the Mexican flag, the Volga German crest, an outline of the African continent, among others. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Nebraska fan Daniel Lenz (center) reacts after the game gets sent into overtime on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at The Railyard. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Nebraska's Billie Andrews connects with a pitch during a Sept. 27, 2021, game at Bowlin Stadium.
Top Journal Star photos for September

Nebraska defensive lineman Ty Robinson (99) looks on after Michigan State won in overtime, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Spartan Stadium. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Scott Rosenbaugh, captain of the Narwhals, walks to the water station after finishing the Market to Market run on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Haymarket. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Nebraska’s Madi Kubik dives for an Iowa shot in the third set on Sept. 25, 2021, at Devaney Sports Center. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
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Pius X's Carson Winer (83) high fives students as he runs off the field after the game on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, at Seacrest Field. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
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Lincoln Lutheran's Max Bartels (10) gets hit by Yutan's Isaiah Daniell on a first-quarter run on Friday, Sept. 24, 2020, at Aldrich Field. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

(L - R) Josie Ivy, Emma Bitterman and Kita Hall, all University of Nebraska - Lincoln students and Sustain UNL members, holds signs as David Corbin (background) carries an earth flag as part of the Global Climate Strike on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, on the steps of the Capitol. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

The chair that Principal Kevin Naumann will be sleeping in sits on the roof of St. Joseph Catholic School before he is raise up on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, at St. Joseph School. Naumann agreed to sleep on the roof of the school if the goal for the school's fall fundraiser was met. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Scaffolding surrounds The Sower, a 19-foot tall bronze statue which represents Nebraska's agricultural heritage, on Sept. 23, 2021, at the Nebraska State Capitol, as part of restoration and repair work which is expected to take 20 weeks. The scaffolding will enclose the entire dome allowing the workers to remove and store any loose gold glazed tile while they replace the water-damaged bed beneath. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Lincoln East's Noah Walters (right) throws the one of his four touchdown passes in the first half against Lincoln Southeast on Sept. 23, 2021, at Seacrest Field. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Clinton Elementary fifth graders sit on the steps of the Sheldon Art Museum while on an outdoor tour field trip on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, at Sheldon Museum of Art. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
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Lincoln Lutheran history teacher Nathan Bassett waves to students as he holds a trophy for Nebraska History Teacher of the Year during an assembly on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, at Lincoln Lutheran. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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Waverly's Maci Steckelberg gets tagged out by Norris' Sage Burbach at first after attempting to steal second on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, at Waverly High School. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
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Nebraska's Lindsay Krause celebrates a second set kill on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, at Devaney Sports Center. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

NORMAN, OK. - 09/18/2021 - Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) scrambles to avoid the tackle from Oklahoma's Isaiah Thomas (95) in the second half on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Norman, Okla. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Nebraska cheerleaders Logan Larsen (bottom) and Haiden Loop cheer on the northside of the stadium on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

(L - R) Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks speaks with Sen. Justin Wayne during debate of redistricting legislation on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, on the floor of the Legislature. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Softball under the lights at Holmes Lake Park on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021. The lights are scheduled for replacement in the future. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

An Antonov AH-124, a large Russian military plane that’s been converted to carry cargo, in this case a 220,000-pound boiler that’s going somewhere north of Sioux City, sits on the tarmac on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, at Lincoln Airport. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Fremont's Elli Dahl (82), Elkhorn South's Jaci Sievers (52) and Lincoln East's Mia Murray lead the girls varsity race at the Harold Scott Invitational on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, at Pioneers Park. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Sen. Adam Morfeld (foreground) references printed maps during a redistricting hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, at the Capitol. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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Norris' Ella Waters (left) and Waverly's Hanna Allick battle in front of the net during a high school volleyball game, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Firefighters work to put out fire of an airplane simulator during a disaster drill Lincoln Airport, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Southwest players cheer their teammates on from the dugout on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, at Doris Bair Complex. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
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James Green (blue) watches Ryan Deakin (red) as they circle each other during the 70 kg Men's Freestyle match on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

James Green signs autographs for fans after his win on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Nebraska's Kenzie Coons (10) falls after an attempted slide tackle by Loyola-Chicago's Alaina Abel (4) on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, at Hibner Stadium. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Nebraska's Nicklin Hames (1) bumps the ball on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Devaney Center. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) dives in the end zone for the Huskers first touchdown in the first quarter against Fordham on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Lincoln Northeast's Trevor Vocasek (17), Dylan Gray (9), Connor Alley (6), and Gavin Wilbur (71) prepare to take the field for warm ups on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, at Seacrest Field. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

David Hollingsworth walks his grandson Jordan (11) to the stadium before the game against Fordham on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Memorial Stadium. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Lincoln Lutheran's Gabriel Schmidt (20) intercepts a ball intended for Lincoln Christian's Ben Ehlers (23) in the closing moments of the game as teammate Cooper May (11) looks on Friday, Sept 3, 2021, at Lincoln Christian School. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September

Lincoln Northeast's Jack Bouwens (15) kisses his girlfriend Jaedyn Sandy after Northeast won the game on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, at Seacrest Field. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
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A tree trunk growing through the bumper of a 1949 Chevrolet pickup is seen in this photo taken on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Nebraska's Kayla Caffey (3) and Lexi Sun (11) block Omaha's Lakyn Graves (18) during the Ameritas Players Challenge on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, at the Devaney Sports Center. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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Art teacher Elizabeth Thomsen waves goodbye to her online class at Roper Elementary School, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Students walk past a Know More banner on the Delta Upsilon fraternity on the University of Nebraska - Lincoln city campus on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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Darrius Booker practices basketball drills at Trago Park, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Reach the writer at 402-473-7226 or mreist@journalstar.com.
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