Las Cruces police have learned details about a shopping cart retrieval incident that became somewhat controversial a couple weeks ago.
Source: Las Cruces Police (via Facebook)
On Aug. 6, 2024, the Las Cruces Police Department was informed of a community member’s belongings that were allegedly left on the ground when a local business reclaimed its shopping cart on the 1600 block of south Valley Drive. The alleged incident was shared to social media and received considerable attention and scrutiny. The initial information provided by the community member indicated the shopping cart was collected by representatives from a local Albertsons store.
Las Cruces police took the allegations seriously and officers spoke with management of all three local Albertsons stores. Police were initially informed the stores were not involved in the incident and had not reclaimed any in-use shopping carts.
To investigate the incident further, Las Cruces police spoke with businesses in the area of 1660 S. Valley Dr. in an effort to locate video surveillance. One of the businesses provided video that was uploaded to LCPD’s community portal.
The video, viewed by police on Friday, Aug. 16, clearly shows a white pickup arrive in the parking lot. Two men exit the pickup and have a conversation with the community member before they load an empty shopping cart into the bed of the pickup and leave the parking lot.
After reviewing the video, Las Cruces police revisited with management from local Albertsons stores and ultimately learned that one of the stores had, indeed, begun efforts to reclaim their shopping carts.
Las Cruces police have determined that no laws were broken when representatives of the Albertsons store retrieved their shopping cart. Police, however, have taken steps to ensure that all parties involved are fully informed about the specifics of the new ordinance including not reclaiming carts that are being used by community members without first contacting police.
The Las Cruces Police Department’s Community Outreach Unit will continue to closely monitor the implementation of the new ordinance and provide ongoing support and guidance as enforcement of the ordinance draws closer. LCPD is committed to balancing the needs of community members with the requirements of the ordinance.
The Las Cruces City Council passed the Shopping Cart Ordinance on Aug. 5, 2024, to help ensure the proper containment and retrieval of property. The new ordinance when into effect Aug. 16, but the Las Cruces Police Department is dedicating a 60-day grace period to educating the community and local business owners about the new guidelines.
During the 60-day grace period, LCPD will also work to identify alternatives that can assist community members in safely storing their personal items which are often transported in shopping carts.
LCPD will begin enforcement of the new ordinance on Oct. 16, 2024.
