LICKING COUNTY, Ohio — Licking County has had so many issues with thieves stealing catalytic converters from their vehicles they recently installed a new surveillance system.
Licking County Health Commissioner Chad Brown says they are dealing with the health of their vehicle fleet because of thefts.
“Ballpark about 12-13 of them over the past year. They seem to only hit certain vehicles that sit a bit higher, that are easier to get them off," said Brown.
Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb said it's costing roughly $1,700 for each catalytic converter theft from those vehicles.
Brown said it puts a vehicle down for at least a day or two and that impacts how they can get out and serve residents.
Each theft means money out taxpayer's pockets. While the county does have insurance, the deductible is $5,000, not enough to cover, but enough to add up.
“These are basically out of pocket losses to the people of Licking County,” Bubb said.
On Thursday, the county installed a motion-sensor system so officials can keep track of the fleet.
“It's kind of a deterrent. It's kind of big, you can see it a long way. We are trying it so maybe if folks see it, they will go away somewhere else,” Brown explained.
Brown hopes it is enough so that his employees can continue doing their jobs.
“Ultimately, we'd like this problem to stop just so we can serve people and go about our business,” Brown said.
So far, no arrests have been made in connection with these thefts.