The City of Irvine officially passed a new ordinance Nov. 9 that is designed to crack down on catalytic converter thefts. The ordinance will make it illegal to “possess any catalytic converter that is not attached to a vehicle unless the possessor has valid documentation or other proof to verify they are in lawful possession of the catalytic converter.” Converters, which are a part of a vehicle’s exhaust system, convert fumes into cleaner emissions and improve the car’s overall efficiency. They contain varying amounts of precious metals inside, some worth more than gold. “We want to send a message to those who have an interest in committing these crimes that it’s not attractive to do so in Irvine and that it won’t be convenient for them after the inconvenience they have caused for people who are just minding their own business and leaving their vehicles in front of their homes …