Washington city votes down shopping cart fine

KELSO, Wash. (AP) — Officials in a Washington city have changed their minds about how to handle people taking shopping carts away from stores.


The Daily News reports that the Kelso City Council has voted down a measure that would make stealing a shopping cart a civil infraction.

The ordinance that failed in a 3-3 voted would have made taking a cart more than 100 feet from a store punishable by a $50 fine. It would have also allowed the city to charge most retailers a $25 fine to retrieve their cart unless it is claimed within 48 hours.

City Manager Steve Taylor says those who voted against the ordinance want to see a better plan for returning the carts.