EDMONTON – Shopping carts are piling up on a north end Edmonton neighbourhood’s lawns, streets, and parks; and residents are getting frustrated.
Global News spotted 17 shopping carts scattered in the area of 169 Avenue and 127 Street, and the number seems to be growing.
The majority of carts are from a nearby Walmart. People are likely walking home with their purchases, and keeping the cart to avoid carrying the heavy load.
But residents say the store doesn’t seem too concerned about the wayward carts.
“They assured me it would be looked after,” says Allison Mackay, who is sick of the eyesore. “This started in the middle of May. I then took pictures and tweeted Walmart, and no response.”
Get daily National news
She adds that she and two of her neighbours have been to Walmart twice to complain as well.
Walmart tells Global News it hires third-party contractors to pick up stray carts, and in light of these complaints will soon service that area.
Some stores like Sobey’s try to keep grocery buggies where they belong by using a system which locks up the wheels once you pass a specific boundary.
The system doesn’t seem to be 100 per cent foolproof, though, because when Global News tested it, we were able to leave Sobey’s lot with their carts. A staff member did tell us some of the carts are waiting for repair.
When it comes to the Walmart carts, residents would like the store to take a closer look at containing the problem, which some believe is more than just a nuisance.
“I think it’s dangerous,” says one resident. “If they come flying out and hit your car, who’s going to pay for your car? Or for kids – this is all kids in here, and kids are attracted to things they can climb on.”
Walmart says it can have as many as 400 carts at that particular location.
UPDATE: Late Wednesday night, Walmart sent someone out to pick them all up.
With files from Julie Matthews, Global News
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.