Nov. 10 Daily Briefing: Catalytic converter crackdown, update on funds for crucial project, turkey drive, and more

Welcome to Friday, where we’re thinking of and thanking all our veterans, as well as their families, for making sacrifices that help keep us all safe. The city is planning multiple events today and tomorrow to honor them, including a free drive-thru lunch for veterans today (details are here) and the annual Veterans Day Parade tomorrow (find details here).

🎶 Setting the mood: “Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen

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LEADING OFF

Council hopes ordinance helps crack down on catalytic converter thefts

The Palm Springs City Council on Thursday unanimously passed a new ordinance targeting the rampant theft of catalytic converters, the devices underneath many vehicles that are designed to reduce vehicle emissions but also contain valuable metals.

Driving the news: The ordinance prohibits the unlawful possession of the converters and empowers the Palm Springs Police Department (PSPD) to arrest individuals who cannot prove ownership with specific documentation.

By the numbers: Between 2019 and 2021, thefts of catalytic converters rose 1,200%. The devices are attractive to thieves because they contain precious metals like palladium, rhodium, and platinum.

• Each catalytic converter can be resold to scrap yards for anywhere from $200 to $1,200 per catalytic converter. 

Zoom in: The new ordinance allows PSPD to arrest anyone with a catalytic converter that is not connected to a vehicle and cannot produce any number of documents that would prove ownership. It also allows for PSPD to go after thieves even if there is no identifiable victim.

Why it matters: The Palm Springs Police Department said at the meeting that catalytic converter theft rates are slightly down, but they still periodically see spikes of thefts throughout the city.

• Mechanics and insurance agencies also say they’ve seen fewer catalytic converter thefts, and there’s some evidence that police crackdowns and a slight drop in precious metal prices are contributing to a decrease in theft.

In context: Even though the price thieves can fetch has dropped slightly, the cost to replace and repair catalytic converters is rising. Last year, the average claim was $2,500; this year, it’s $2,900.

What to watch for: PSPD Capt. Mike Kovaleff told councilmembers that a portion of the $4.6 million the department received from the state will go toward an etching system.

• Once the system is in place, Kovaleff residents can come in and have their VIN etched onto their catalytic converter for free to link the device back to them if it’s stolen. 

Read our complete story online here.

BRIEFLY

🍃 Moratorium on new cannabis businesses extended

Members of the Palm Springs City Council voted unanimously Thursday to approve a 10-month and 15-day extension of the temporary moratorium on new cannabis business applications. 

• At the last city council meeting, councilmembers voted to put in place the original 45-day moratorium while they work with city staff to figure out new policy measures to help struggling cannabis businesses. 
  
  
• Councilmembers are considering several changes to address oversaturation and high taxes. City staff suggests dropping the tax rate from 10% to 5% and introducing a cap on the number of dispensaries allowed in the city. 
  
  
• Up next: City staff said they will bring their recommendations for updated ordinances to councilmembers at the Jan. 25 meeting.

💰 Funds for bridge project on short list

Staff at the state’s transportation commission last week recommended awarding $50 million in grant funding for a project to build a pair of bridges over Indian Canyon Drive at the Whitewater Wash, according to a published report in The Desert Sun.

• The project, which will help reduce closures due to flooding in the wash,  received the state’s highest priority ranking and is one of two projects being considered for the grant.
  
  
• The money would cover two-thirds of the estimated $75 million cost of building the bridges, with the remainder being funded by local and regional transportation funding.
  
  
• Up next: The commission will vote on whether to approve the recommendation at its Dec. 6 meeting.

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YOUR WEEKEND

ALL WEEKEND

“Mid-Century Moderns”
Revolution Stage Company
Catch this homegrown musical comedy this weekend at Revolution Stage Company. ($45)

“Rent”
Palm Canyon Theatre
“Rent” follows a year in the life of a group of young artists struggling to survive in New York under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The show is playing through Nov. 12. ($38)

“The Fantasticks”
Coachella Valley Repertory
In this bold reimagining, CVRep presents “The Fantasticks” regendered and reworked. ($50)

“The Thanksgiving Play”
Dezart Performs
This Broadway comedy shows what happens when good intentions collide with absurd assumptions. ($48)

“Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties”
Desert Ensemble Theatre
Five different women, all named Betty, intersect “at the intersection of anger, sex, and the theater.” ($37.50)

TODAY

Veterans Day Drive-Thru Appreciation Lunch
1 p.m. | City Hall
Veterans will get a free box lunch at this unique drive-thru appreciation at city hall. RSVP on line or by calling. 

The Roundtable: HIV/AIDS survivors
5:30 p.m. | Ken Seeley Community Room
A weekly discussion group for long-term HIV/AIDS survivors in the Coachella Valley. 

SATURDAY

Certified Farmers’ Market
8 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Camelot Theatre
The market returns to its outdoor location, with local farmers and vendors offering fresh agri­cul­tural and related products.

Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade
3:30 p.m. | Palm Canyon Drive
The theme for this year’s parade is “Honoring All Who Served.” In addition to the parade there will be a patriotic concert and a fireworks finale.

SUNDAY

Rise & Stride Fitness Walk
7 a.m. | Ruth Hardy Park
The Palm Springs Sunshine Sisters host this morning’s social walk.  

Reel Women’s Film Festival
9:30 a.m. | Camelot Theatre
The festival features a diverse schedule of films about and by women worldwide. Proceeds will benefit Planned Parenthood in the Coachella Valley. ($25)

ONE-PS Lip Sync Battle
3 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
Local police, firefighters, and city hall officials will battle it out by lip-syncing to favorite songs. A portion of the funds will assist the Parks and Recreation Youth Participation Fund as well as the ONE-PS Neighborhood Development Fund. ($35)

SAVE THE DATE

• Jews do the Blues benefit concert on Nov. 15.
  
  
• Palm Springs Speaks series with Temple Grandin on Nov. 17.
  
  
• McCormick’s 75th Car Auction on Nov. 17.
  
  
• 2023 Props and Hops Craft Beer Festival on Nov. 18.
  
  
• Desert Winds Freedom Band Music in Motion Concert on Nov. 19

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AND FINALLY …

🍗 Local organizations are uniting this weekend to collect non-perishable food donations, including turkeys, to help feed members of our community this Thanksgiving.

• Platinum Star Properties, Prideful Escapes, and Signature Executive Suites are organizing the drive, which will benefit the community food bank at The Center, DJ Galaxy’s 500 turkey meals prep, and the Cathedral City Senior Center.
  
  
• Details: Bring a frozen turkey, ham, or other non-perishable items to the 4th Annual Turkey Drive, held at 777 East Tahquitz Canyon Way any time from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Volunteers will be waiting to collect the donations in the back parking lot located at the corner of Arenas and El Segundo.

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