LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved an ordinance in response to Councilmember Tony Cárdenas’ motion, which will require all new, and drastically remodeled, grocery stores to install on-site anti-theft systems for their shopping carts.
Additionally, a motion was approved to also ask for a study to be completed by the Planning Department, when funds are available, to see how the plan can be implemented city-wide at all existing grocery stores.
“Abandoned shopping carts have been a long standing problem in our communities, threatening the public safety of our streets and sidewalks and bringing blight to our neighborhoods” said Councilman Tony Cárdenas.
“This ordinance gets us one step closer to ridding our city of this constant community nuisance.”
Cardenas also stressed that the approved plan will not affect small business and could help the city save scarce resources. Small stores with fewer than six shopping carts on their property will not be affected by the new ordinances and once implemented the ordinance will also cut down on costly city retrieval services.
Cardenas said his plan was also carefully vetted to ensure its success.
“I have created an ordinance that is fair to residents and home owners as well as businesses and one that I feel confident will be legally binding.”