OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A new bill in Oklahoma could soon make it a crime to possess a shopping cart taken from a store, with potential jail time for offenders. State Representative Rande Worthen (R-Lawton) is the sponsor of the bill, which aims to address the growing issue of shopping cart theft in the state.

The proposed legislation, Oklahoma House Bill 1689 (HB 1689), would make it illegal for anyone to remove a shopping cart from a store’s parking lot or to be in possession of one that was taken from a retail business. Those caught violating the law could face penalties ranging from fines to up to one year in jail.

Why the Bill is Being Proposed

Rep. Worthen says the need for the bill came to his attention after local businesses reported significant losses due to shopping cart thefts. According to Worthen, many merchants in Lawton, Oklahoma, have been losing hundreds of shopping carts each quarter, costing them thousands of dollars every year. Retailers like Walmart, Worthen says, have reported having to replace carts that are stolen or simply removed from their stores.

The costs for replacing these carts, which are priced at $200 to $250 each, are adding up for businesses. Worthen also noted that missing carts often end up in places where they cause hazards, such as on the streets, in creeks, and even in alleyways. This can create traffic problems and safety risks for both pedestrians and drivers.

“The goal is not to punish people but to have a state statute in place,” Worthen told News 4. “This will allow cities to create ordinances if they choose to, and it will give them the authority to manage this issue locally, whether through fines, warnings, or requiring people to return stolen carts.”

Controversy Surrounding the Bill

While some believe the bill could help solve the issue of missing carts, others, like former Oklahoma State Senator and pastor George Young, argue that the proposal unfairly targets vulnerable groups, particularly the homeless. Critics point out that many people who possess shopping carts are homeless individuals who use the carts to carry their belongings. By making it a crime to possess a shopping cart, the bill could further criminalize homelessness.

Young voiced his concerns about the bill, asking whether punishing individuals for possessing carts would help solve the problem of stolen carts. He suggested that the focus should be on addressing the root causes of homelessness rather than penalizing individuals for trying to survive with what limited resources they have.

“How is putting someone in jail going to help return these carts? It’s not,” Young said. “Instead of targeting the homeless, why aren’t we looking at ways to eliminate the need for them to use shopping carts as a means of carrying their things? Why not focus on real solutions to homelessness?”

Reactions from the Homeless Alliance

The Homeless Alliance, an organization dedicated to supporting people experiencing homelessness, has also voiced strong opposition to the bill. Meghan Mueller, the CEO of the Homeless Alliance, shared a statement highlighting how the bill could worsen the challenges faced by people who are already struggling. She emphasized that punitive measures, such as those proposed in the bill, tend to target symptoms of the problem rather than addressing the underlying issues of homelessness.

“It is abundantly clear to us that this bill specifically targets Oklahomans experiencing homelessness,” Mueller said. “Punitive measures like this address the symptom, not the cause. Once a person has one or more arrests or citations on their record, it becomes much harder for them to find housing. This bill could only create more barriers for people who are already facing immense challenges.”

The Homeless Alliance’s response points out that while the bill might aim to reduce the use of shopping carts outside retail settings, it could unintentionally make it more difficult for homeless individuals to secure housing and work toward ending their homelessness.

What’s Next?

The bill, which has sparked strong reactions from both supporters and critics, is still being reviewed in the state legislature. While some argue that it’s necessary to help curb shopping cart theft and improve safety, others believe the bill unfairly targets the homeless and could have unintended consequences.

Rep. Worthen’s proposal has not yet been signed into law, and it remains to be seen whether lawmakers will push forward with it or consider alternative solutions to the issue. For now, the debate continues as both sides of the argument voice their concerns.

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