Background I posted “Shopping Cart Diaries #1” a week or so ago, and then just a few days ago I posted #2: update on that nasty Bill 53 trying to protect shopping carts from poor people (includes a “cut and paste” StarAdvertiser story.)

One of the “pro Bill 53” complaints cited in the story was, “Everyone’s quick to say this is a bad idea but no one is offering solutions…”. (paraphrased).

So…I’ve been thinking about this and voila!

Here it is, in all it’s facetious glory!

Treat loose shopping carts like we do loose dogs and make the OWNERS responsible for their shopping carts getting loose and into the roadway, or on to other peoples property.

It’s simple really, the City and County of Honolulu should just amend the existing dog “leash law” like this:

§ 12-4.1 Definitions.

Stray or Stray (Dog) Shopping Cart. Any (dog) shopping cart

(1) On the premises of a person other than the owner of the (dog) shopping cart, without the consent of an occupant of such premises; or

(2) On a public street, on public or private school grounds, or in any other public place, except when under the control of the owner by leash, cord, chain, or other similar means of physical restraint; provided that the leash, cord, chain or other means is not more than 8 feet in length; and provided further, that this provision will not be construed to permit that which is prohibited by any other law.

§ 12-4.2 Stray(s) Shopping Carts prohibited.

It is unlawful for the owner of any (dog) shopping cart to permit the (dog) shopping cart to become a stray.

There you have it.

While it may seem ridiculous, the bottom line is:

The owner of the shopping cart should be responsible for keeping the shopping cart on their property. They can use “locking wheels” or “shopping cart monitors” or whatever.

If indeed shopping carts are dangerous, and in effect an “attractive nuisance” then the owner of that shopping cart should be held responsible.

Why should taxpayer dollars be spent, and police, prosecutor, and judicial systems burdened to fulfill a responsibility that rightfully belongs to the private business owner?

And yes, other cities do require the business owner to monitor, control, retrieve, and be responsible for their own shopping carts.

Please, if you’ve read this far and if you live in Honolulu, email TODAY:

Council Member Esther Kia‘aina
ekiaaina@honolulu.gov

AND

Council Member Matt Weyer
mweyer@honolulu.gov

And tell them both, MAHALO for voting NO, on Bill 53!

And if you can, please also email the others below and ask them politely and professionally of course, – to please reconsider their support for Bill 53.

Honolulu City Council Members:

Andria Tupola
atupola@honolulu.gov

Tommy Waters (Council Chair)
tommy.waters@honolulu.gov

Scott Nishimoto
snishimoto@honolulu.gov

Tyler Dos Santos-Tam
tdossantos-tam@honolulu.gov

Val Aquino Okimoto
valokimoto@honolulu.gov

Augie Tulba
atulba@honolulu.gov

Bottom line message for the Council Members AND to ALL –

We’re all in this together.

Let’s figure out a way together, to solve our many challenges without further hurting our brothers and sisters who sit at the very bottom of the socioeconomic ladder.

Let’s focus our energy instead, on offering them a hand up.

Sincerely,

Gary Hooser

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