Las Cruces police collect shopping carts before enforcing ordinance • Source New Mexico

Las Cruces is preparing this month for police enforcement of an ordinance that primarily prohibits homeless people from using shopping carts to move or store their belongings.

Officials have set up two shopping cart collection days for people to drop off shopping carts with local law enforcement agencies.

The ordinance took effect Aug. 16, but the Las Cruces Police Department announced a 60-day delay to allow people to swap their carts for another way to transport their belongings and to allow businesses to make plans to reduce the number of carts removed from their carts.

Officers will begin issuing citations on Oct. 16.

Police will be stationed at the Community of Hope and a parking lot near East Lohman Avenue and South Walnut Street on Oct. 10 and 15. According to the city, no legal action will be taken against anyone in these planned attacks -back days.

Police are expected to contact businesses after the events to return the shopping carts.

The new ordinance was one of two ordinances the Las Cruces City Council passed over the summer that directly impacted unhoused members of the community. The second ordinance prohibits advertising on private property and some forms of begging on property.

Since the ordinance was passed, Mesilla Valley Community of Hope staff and volunteers have been working to exchange people’s shopping carts for suitcases or carts. According to Nicole Martinez, executive director of Community of Hope, these alternatives were not permanent and often failed.

Individuals found to be in possession of a shopping cart outside of a store may be charged with a minor misdemeanor. If convicted, the person faces six months in prison. A judge may also sentence the person to community service, drug counseling, or psychiatric treatment. Businesses that fail to comply with the cart plan or allow carts to be removed from their property may face a fine of up to $500.