Now, Daryl Terrell is taking his mission statewide.
"When you have a passion to help people, you do what it takes," said Terrell, who became involved in the issue when he said one of his colleagues had his catalytic converter stolen in broad daylight.
"This is going on. People are saying it's over with. No, it's not. These crimes are underreported," he said.
State law makes it illegal to be caught in possession of more than eight catalytic converters at one time.
Terrell calls it a "loophole" and is pushing city councils and boards of supervisors across the state to pass ordinances that make it illegal to be caught with just one catalytic converter in your possession, unless you have an automotive-dismantler's permit.
"I said, 'Why are we going to allow people to steal eight catalytic converters? Why don't we just do one and done?'"
"We have to have a more effective way of holding people accountable," said Terrell. "We can't allow a loophole in state law to allow people to run amok on our residents who are hard-working people, who cannot afford to replace a catalytic converter."
Terrell has recently made remarks at city council meetings in Rialto and Colton in San Bernardino County, as well as boards of supervisors meetings in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
He's also traveled several hours north to speak at the board of supervisors meeting in San Luis Obispo County, and a city council meeting in Clovis.
"What the state legislature won't do, I'm going do it. No matter what," said Terrell.