Author: Steve Schewe

One MN Together activists have held protests in Eden Prairie and other cities in the southwest metro. EPLN reached out for comment on the guilty verdicts in Derek Chauvin’s trial: “What a joyous and triumphant moment for my people. Finally, the Black community has seen justice served. While we may have won the fight, the battle for equality still goes on,” said Rachel Moe, founding member of One MN Together. Intense Emotions Released by Verdict Other One MN participants tried to place the verdict in a larger context. Vanessa Nordstrom, a nutritionist, was exiting 212 when she heard the verdict…

Despite public interest in deterring catalytic converter theft, and efforts on the part of individual legislators, it appears the Minnesota’s legislature is unlikely to act this year to disrupt the covert supply chain for stolen catalytic converters (cats). In recent months, Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN) and other Twin Cities media have reported on “cat” theft.  According to Sergeant Natalie Davis, St. Paul Police Department (SPPD) records show 602 thefts so far in 2021, on track to double last year’s count of 1102; there were 263 thefts in 2019.  Thefts from open parking lots for businesses and commercial establishments like…

In the wake of Daunte Wright’s killing, local residents held a peaceful protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN) has recently reported on a rash of catalytic converter thefts: 2021 catalytic converter thefts on pace to triple in Eden PrairieCatalytic converter theft: Targeted cars, theft locations, and legislative options As part of EPLN’s public service mission, you are invited you to take a survey about the issue of catalytic converter theft. The survey will be used to inform the civic discussion about catalytic converter theft in Eden Prairie. The survey is confidential and your information is private. The survey has now closed Note: EPLN collects emails associated with those who take the survey in…

If your car, truck or bus was robbed recently of its “cat” emissions control device, you’re not alone. Protecting yourself from catalytic converter theft isn’t easy. “We have seen a significant increase during the pandemic,” said David Glawe, President and CEO of the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). “It’s an opportunistic crime. As the value of the precious metals contained within the catalytic converters continues to increase, so do the number of thefts of these devices. There is a clear connection between times of crisis, limited resources, and disruption of the supply chain that drives investors towards these precious metals.”…

Nancy Miller knew she wouldn’t be driving to work. “The engine started way too loud,” she said. Parked overnight last Friday in front of her house off Mill Creek Drive, Miller’s locked Outlander Sport was missing its catalytic converter. A long wait for replacement parts and a big repair bill awaited her. Catalytic converters have been filtering engine pollutants from cars and trucks since the 1970s. Coated inside with precious metals, these canisters are like bags of jewels for thieves as they’re easy to steal from the undercarriage. As demand for converters has increased because of tightening emissions rules, prices…