There has been a great deal of talk about abandoned shopping carts in the last few weeks. Thanks to the leadership of Tacoma City Councilman Ryan Mello, responding to concerns of his constituents and neighborhood groups, the city is considering an ordinance that would finally deal with abandoned shopping cart blight.
Even though citizens are driving this effort, there is some reluctance to the bold and innovative leadership needed to solve this growing problem. The issue at hand is twofold: The proposed ordinance is believed to be too heavy-handed, and there is a lack of options for people who need help transporting their groceries.
The first issue, when compared with other communities, is actually quite light-handed. The proposed fine of $25 per cart is far below the $50 fines charged by Renton and Lakewood. Auburn has a $30 fine or $70 disposal fee. Other cities on the West Coast have $50 to $100 fines, including Beaverton and Forest Grove, Ore., and Long Beach and Fresno, Calif. Small stores, nonprofits and stores with a wheel-locking system would all be exempt under Mello’s proposed ordinance.
Some have asked, “Why can’t neighbors just be good neighbors?” But what happens when neighbors move or see turnover in community leaders? This issue will arise again.
In addition, as much as we would love for the private sector to be left to solve this issue, the job is clearly not getting done. For example, the Hilltop, South End and East Side Safeways have had a private cart-returning program in place for several years, yet the problem has done nothing but worsen.
This method does not provide the community with a central contact to report abandoned carts in their yards, sidewalks, back alleys or even in our beautiful parks.
This is why it is essential for the City of Tacoma to work with a private contractor, as proposed in the ordinance. The contractor would guarantee pickup within 24 hours after being called, a standard that cannot be met today.
This leads to the second issue at hand: providing an option for those who need help transporting their goods.
There has been concern that this ordinance could unduly hurt the poor. The Central Neighborhood Council, along with other community leaders, are dedicated to finding a way to provide free or reduced-cost foldup carts to those needing them.
Portions of the shopping cart fine could be used to purchase and administer this program, however the fines won’t generate enough revenue to kick-start and sustain this program.
For this reason the Central Neighborhood Council is also committed, upon passage of a ordinance, to champion the means necessary to fund this program including seeking eligibility for an innovative grant to purchase carts. Moreover, we are dedicated to partnering with other neighborhood groups to do the same.
The Central Neighborhood Council wants to add value to our community, and we are extending our hand out to the City of Tacoma to find solutions to these two important issues.
We challenge the mayor and council members to not follow the path of least resistance and be bold and innovative to fix these two issues that are important to our community.
Hilltop resident Justin Leighton is secretary of the Central Neighborhood Council.
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