No fines for retailers with no locks on

No fines for retailers without locks on shopping carts

Mar 11, 2019 | 7:46 PM

Retailers in the City of Vernon will not be fined for not having anti theft protection devices on shopping carts.

The idea was originally brought forward by the Activate Safety Task Force but after responses from twelve retailers, council decided to scrap the idea.

Many of the retailers surveyed said they don’t use an anti theft device and instead keep their carts inside after hours which has cut back on thefts.

The two Safeway’s in the city indicated that they still have issues despite having the locks on the carts .

According to the report, the Vernon Square Safeway reported losing 2-3 carts per week and the downtown Safeway reported losing ten to thirteen carts per week.

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” You go back to yes charging those very businesses for their shopping carts is crazy . They are already at a $100,000 loss possibly more than that,” said Coun Kari Gares.

The Real Canadian Superstore reported similar findings and said that they lost over 100 carts worth over $30,000 in 2018 even though customers have to pay to use a cart.

They say the thefts are because thieves have been finding ways to cut locks and chains or override the pay per use system.

Save on Foods on Hwy 6 and the Village Green Mall said they don’t put locks on their carts and reported losing 100 carts in 2018.

The lost carts have reportedly cost them $25,000 to replace.

In the report given to council they deny leaving abandoned carts around for people to take and insist that carts are locked up and secured overnight.

According to West Cart, a third party company contracted by the city to collect the carts; roughly 60 percent of carts were recovered from the street entrenched and 40 percent of carts were recovered from apartments, condos and seniors housing.

Council ultimately voted unanimously in support of scrapping the fines.