The Las Cruces Police Department announced a shopping cart takeback day planned for later this month.
LCPD said in a news release they will not enforce any penalties for shopping cart possession during the takeback days on Oct. 10 and Oct. 15 at Community of Hope and a parking lot at the 2200 block of East Lohman Avenue near South Walnut Street.
“Officers will be at both sites from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, and on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Shopping carts can be relinquished at either site, on either day,” the news release said.
The Las Cruces City Council voted 4-3 on Aug. 5 to ban shopping cart use outside of businesses. Supporters of the ban, including LCPD, said the move would improve public safety. Opponents say the ordinance is inhumane as it targets unhoused residents who use the carts to ferry belongings around town.
“The Shopping Cart Collection Initiative is an opportunity for anyone who has possession of a shopping cart to relinquish it without consequences. Officers will accept the shopping carts, and they will not take any enforcement action during the initiative,” the news release said.
Those found possessing a shopping cart could face a fine or jail time, although the police department and city attorney's office have said they intend to use the crime to funnel people into services.
Full enforcement of the ordinance begins Oct. 16.
