Las Cruces delays enforcement of new shopping cart ordinance until October

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — The new Las Cruces city ordinance most commonly known as the shopping cart ordinance, will go into effect next Friday.

Although the ordinance is supposed to take effect Aug. 16, Las Cruces police will delay enforcement for 60 days, in part, so retail establishments can submit a plan and application.

Officials with Las Cruces police said they want to allow time for all parties to become educated on the new regulations and aware of the requirements.

Las Cruces police intend to begin enforcement of the ordinance on Oct. 16.

The ordinance, approved by Las Cruces City Council on Aug. 5 relates to shopping cart containment and retrieval.

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It intends to eliminate the public nuisance and potential hazards created when shopping carts are removed from retail establishments.

The ordinance will, in part, require retail establishments to submit a shopping cart plan, affix an identifying sign to their shopping carts and retrieve carts in a timely manner when they are located.

The ordinance maintains previous regulations that make it a violation to remove shopping carts from retail premises or possess them off-site, abandon or alter them.

The ordinance does not require retail establishments to retrieve shopping carts directly from individuals who may have them, nor should retailers attempt to do so.

Violation of the shopping cart ordinance could result in a misdemeanor.

In lieu of jail time or a fine, the ordinance allows judges to order community service including counseling, treatment for substance use disorders, or mental health treatment.

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