Las Cruces, a city in New Mexico, is set to implement a new Shopping Cart Ordinance that was recently approved by the City Council. The ordinance is scheduled to go into effect on Friday, August 16, 2024, with enforcement by Las Cruces police beginning on October 16, 2024. This gap in time between implementation and enforcement is intended to allow residents to become familiar with the new regulations.
The ordinance will require retail establishments to submit a shopping cart plan, affix identifying signs to their carts, and retrieve carts promptly when they are found off-site. It also maintains previous regulations that prohibit the removal of shopping carts from retail premises, possession of carts off-site, abandonment, or alteration. Violations of the ordinance will be considered a petty misdemeanor, with potential penalties for non-compliance.
In addition to the Shopping Cart Ordinance, the city is also updating parts of the municipal code related to street and sidewalk solicitation. The changes to these rules will also go into effect on August 16, 2024. The updated language clarifies that solicitations for money or anything of value are not permitted in an aggressive manner in public areas or on private property within city limits. Violations of these rules will also be classified as petty misdemeanors, with potential penalties of 90 days in jail or a $500 fine.
The new ordinances aim to address issues such as the accumulation of abandoned shopping carts on both private and public property, which the city believes creates hazards to public safety and interferes with pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The possession of shopping carts outside of retail premises will now be considered a misdemeanor, with fines ranging from $100 to $500. Business owners will also be required to retrieve shopping carts found off their property to prevent blight and deterioration of neighborhoods within the city.
Another aspect of the proposed ordinances is the prohibition of aggressive solicitation, which includes behaviors such as panhandlers blocking roadways, intimidating motorists, and blocking vehicles. However, the ordinances do not ban panhandling or soliciting on sidewalks, allowing individuals to continue these activities in a lawful and respectful manner.
As Las Cruces prepares to implement these new ordinances, residents and businesses are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the regulations to ensure compliance and contribute to a safer and more orderly community. The City Council’s decision to address issues related to shopping carts and solicitation reflects their commitment to maintaining the health, welfare, and safety of the public in Las Cruces. Stay tuned for updates on the implementation of these ordinances as the city works towards creating a more harmonious environment for all residents.