Las Cruces Police offer free lockers for unhoused before new shopping cart ordinance

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — The Las Cruces Police Department offers free temporary lockers for unhoused people as they prepare to enforce the new Shopping Cart Ordinance on Oct. 16.

LCPD said it is offering free temporary storage for unhoused people to store their personal belongings in a safe and weatherproof area, as they plan to enforce the new Shopping Cart Ordinance in a week, an ordinance that makes it illegal for people to have or remove shopping carts from retail stores and holds retail businesses accountable for the location of their carts.

RELATED:New ordinance on shopping carts in Las Cruces raises concerns of targeting the homeless

The storage facility is a large shipping container LCPD installed in the back lot of the police station on 217 E. Picacho Ave.

According to LCPD, the storage is free for the unhoused population and has the following restrictions:

• Weight limit of 35 pounds.
• No perishables.
• No liquids.
• No medications or drugs.
• No currency.
• No flammables.
• No firearms or sharp objects.

Unhoused people who wish to use the storage facility need to visit the Records window at the Las Cruces Police Department from 8-11 a.m. and 1-5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, excluding holidays.

LCPD said all stored items are subject to search before they are stored.

RELATED:Las Cruces PD swaps shopping carts for backpacks or wagons before ordinance enforcement

This appears to be the latest effort by the LCPD, who they say are “trying to be mindful” of the unhoused population, ahead of the enforcement of the new ordinance.

On Oct. 1, KFOX14/CBS4 spoke with LCPD Lieutenant Joy Wiitala who explained how officers and community organizers are hosting a “Shopping Cart Take-Back” on Thursday and Tuesday, Oct. 15 giving unhoused people the chance to turn in their shopping carts for wagons or backpacks without any legal repercussions.

The Las Cruces City Council approved the new Shopping Cart Ordinance back in Aug. 5 and enforcement will begin Oct. 16.

Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.