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Council debates enforcement of municipal infraction for stray shopping carts; staff to notify businesses about signage
Summary
After a recent incident in which shopping carts were left in public areas, council members discussed adding a specific fee to the rates-and-fees schedule and urged staff to notify businesses to post required signage so the municipal-infraction rule can be enforced.
Council members at a Pocomoke City work session raised concerns about shopping carts being left in public spaces and whether the city’s municipal infraction code can be enforced. A staff member said the code includes a municipal-infraction provision and that, under the ordinance, fines cannot exceed $1,000; the staff member said the police chief will provide a fee schedule based on the code.
Several councilmembers urged a cautious enforcement approach. They noted that many residents who remove carts lack transportation and may be taking carts to reach their groceries. The group discussed the code requirement that businesses that use carts post signage warning customers not to remove carts from private property; staff said enforcement is difficult until all businesses post the required notices.
Council members also discussed logistics after a ticket is issued: whether officers are expected to impound carts, require cart return, or rely on the businesses to collect them. Staff said the city will send an official letter to businesses asking them to comply with the sign requirement before pursuing municipal infractions. The police chief is expected to provide a recommended fine schedule to staff for inclusion in the rates and fees table.
No ordinance or fine level was adopted; staff were asked to obtain the chief’s fee schedule, confirm the relevant Pocomoke City Code subsection, and send formal notice to businesses that use shopping carts.
