Prince George's County Council considers new law to crackdown on abandoned shopping carts

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — Shopping carts can be necessary when shopping, but in some neighborhoods, they’re just a nuisance.

Rachiel Durant has been living in Chillum’s Avondale area for more than 30 years, and she says she’s constantly seeing shopping carts left abandoned in her community. Whenever she tries to get rid of them, no one takes responsibility.

“It brings down the property value, number one because it’s an eye sore,” she says. “Sometimes it’s hard to identify which store it is because they don’t have their name on the actual shopping cart, but I’ve called them in and asked them to pick them up, and a lot of times they don’t, so you just call and call!”

Now some new legislation from the Prince George’s County Council may start to hold big chain stores accountable for where their carts end up.

On Thursday, Councilmember Wanika Fisher put forward a piece of legislation that would require stores to set up anti-theft mechanisms on their shopping carts by the end of next May. Carts will also need to have their store’s information on them so they can be identified.

Stores could be fined up to $2,000 a day if they violate the law.

If passed, this law would only apply to stores that have at least 20 shopping carts, so mom-and-pop stores wouldn’t be affected. The bill be brought in front of the full Council for a vote next Tuesday.

Under current Maryland law, people who steal grocery carts can already face a fine of up to $25 if convicted.

Fisher says she’s open to hearing from stores about keeping track of their carts but doing nothing is not an option.

“Just do something!” she said. “The reality is, I’ve been living in this community for 15, 19 years now, and this problem has been [happening] over and over again, and everyone has chosen not to do anything, so I had to do something.”

Folks like Rachiel share Fisher’s sentiment and hope this new law can finally put an end to this eye sore.

“Some things appear to be small, but they grow into bigger things when you allow them to just go on,” Rachiel explained. “I’m thankful that she’s even taking the time out, and even thinking of its importance to have the bill passed.”