Las Cruces police collect 133 shopping carts ahead of new ordinance enforcement

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — Las Cruces police collected 133 shopping carts during the two-day collection period before enforcing the new Shopping Cart Ordinance.

On the first day of the Shopping Cart Collection Initiative, 60 carts were relinquished at two separate locations within Las Cruces.

On Tuesday, another 73 carts were collected within city limits.

Police will determine what businesses own the shopping carts and contact them so the carts can be retrieved.

The Shopping Cart Collection Initiative was an opportunity for anyone who has possession of a shopping cart that belongs to a retail establishment to relinquish it without consequences.

Beginning Wednesday, it is unlawful to remove from the premises, possess, abandon or alter a shopping cart that belongs to a retail establishment.

Violation of the ordinance is a misdemeanor.

The new Shopping Cart Ordinance was adopted by City Council in August 2024.

LCPD chose to delay enforcement of the ordinance until Oct. 16 to allow for education of the new regulation and the return of carts that may be in the possession of individuals within the community.

RELATED:Las Cruces hands out wagons to homeless as shopping cart ban nears

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