There is a rise of catalytic converter thefts in Monroe County in 2021. In the town of Gates, 70 have been reported stolen since May.

A bill passed by Monroe County lawmakers, aimed at curbing thefts, was vetoed by County Executive Adam Bello. But police and victims are desperate for a solution.

Jon Soza from the Salvation Army in Rochester says three converters on two of its trucks were stolen in February. It was caught on surveillance video.

"We had to scramble. We couldn't pick up all the donations we needed. So, whoever took those catalytic converters is actually stealing from the community. They're actually taking food out of their own neighbor's mouths," said Soza.

Soza also said the Salvation Army had to pay $2,000 to repair the trucks damaged by thieves.

Gates Police Chief James VanBrederode, says the problem is only getting worse.

"You see them scoping out parking lots. They get out, they climb under the car with their electric saws. And you know it makes a lot of noise when you're cutting it off. And they get the catalytic converter and they go right down to the scrapyard to turn that in for cash," he says.

Fifteen of the 70 stolen converters came from a car rental lot near the Fredrick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport.

County lawmakers worked with law enforcement on new legislation to curb the sale of stolen car parts. The legislation would have restricted how converters were sold at scrap yards and prevented the sellers from receiving cash for at least two weeks. Bello vetoed the bill over concerns it wouldn't prevent thefts and would hurt Monroe County scrap yards.

One scrap industry expert agrees.

"No one who's in commerce is going to wait 14 days to get paid at a facility in Monroe County where they can go to Genesee County or Yates County just a few miles away and get paid immediately. So, it really misses the mark," said Lawrence Schellenger, Legislative Counsel for the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries.

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries says it's working with state lawmakers on laws to help catch converter thieves including a bill that would require converters to have serial numbers while also requiring facilities to record the names of sellers.