Prince George’s County residents and businesses are divided over a county council bill aimed at reducing the number of stray shopping carts.

The bill, initially introduced to the Prince George’s County Council in September, would require businesses with at least 20 carts to implement anti-theft measures on their carts.

Measures could include electronic deactivation devices, coin deposits, security guards or hiring a cart management company.

“There have been many times where grocery carts have been found abandoned in our neighborhood,” said Rachiel Durant, an Avondale resident. “That’s been a problem.”

Durant said the problem of lost carts in his Prince George’s County community has been going on for years. She thinks they lower property values ​​and the appearance of the neighborhood.

District 2 council member Wanika Fisher was motivated to propose the bill by community complaints and her own experiences seeing abandoned carts, according to the council member’s chief of staff Shanika Griffith. Fisher found a stray cart in his yard and didn’t know how to get rid of it, Griffith said.

Durant, who supports the bill, noticed a similar problem. She found carts without identifying details in the community, she said.

“Sometimes they don’t even have the (company) name on them, so you don’t even know who to call,” Durant said. “You’re kind of guessing.”

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Fisher’s bill would require each cart to carry a sign with the company’s name, address and phone number. It would also help prevent safety hazards from runaway carts potentially hitting vehicles, Griffith said.

Upper Marlboro resident Harlan Magruder said abandoned carts are his “pet peeve.”

When people leave their carts in parking lots and on corners, it’s “just an eyesore,” Magruder said. Fisher’s bill will help beautify Prince George’s County, he said.

But not everyone in Prince George’s County is in favor of the bill.

If passed, the resolution would fine noncompliant businesses $2,000 per day after receiving an initial warning.

Blaise Miller, owner of BK Miller Meats & Liquor in Clinton, said the bill would place a burden on businesses.

The Miller store uses about 20 carts, and more are stored to replace those that break. He said the bill would force small business owners to spend additional money to protect shopping carts that already have a short shelf life and can cost hundreds of dollars.

“We’re a small business…not Giant or Safeway,” Miller said.

Although the bill provides several options for anti-theft measures, businesses only need to select one, allowing stores to choose what works best for them, Griffith said.

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Miller said he is ready to get his carts back when they are removed from his store’s premises.

But other companies seem less willing, Durant said.

“I would call the grocery store, let them know there is a grocery cart in my neighborhood, give them an estimate of where it is, and it would take them days to come pick it up ” Durant said.

The bill presents a “win-win” scenario for businesses and residents, according to Griffith. This would prevent stores from losing their carts and ensure carts stay out of neighborhoods, she said.

Prince George’s County residents will be able to voice their opinions on the bill at a public hearing on November 19.