SOMERS POINT — With two major shopping centers and multiple other retail businesses both large and small, Somers Point has a vibrant business community.
The city also has multiple residential complexes within walking distance of the business districts, leading to a lot of pedestrian traffic throughout the city.
The combination leads many to take shopping carts from the two major grocery stores and other businesses home so they don’t need to carry their newly purchased items, resulting in an unsightly mess that merchants are required to address.
Mayor Dennis Tapp said Jan. 11 that many are failing to do so and the city is going to crack down on the scofflaws.
“As you drive around town, if you are not blind, you notice that there are an abundance of shopping carts being abandoned all over town,” Tapp said.
He said he talked with City Council President Janice Johnston, zoning officer Don Dunlevy, Administrator Jason Frost and solicitor Tom Smith about the issue.
“Letters are going out to all businesses including the ordinance in place. We are going to start enforcing the ordinance,” Tapp said.
The ordinance gives merchants three days to pick up the carts. Otherwise, the Public Works Department will pick them up and charge the businesses $25 per cart. Those that fail to pick up their carts after they have been collected will forfeit them.
“We’ve got to get on top of this,” Tapp said. “We’ve got to put their feet to the fire on this and now’s the time.”
Tapp, an advocate for donating blood, noted the Somers Point Police Athletic League has scheduled a blood drive for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, at Eva Anderson Youth Center on Marks Road.
“They are in dire need of blood,” Tapp said, noting he tries to donate every 52 days. “You can save up to three lives with one pint.”
Download the American Red Cross app to schedule an appointment.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
