Santa Barbara is increasing penalties for the misuse of shopping carts by those who have taken them off of a store's property, as well as businesses who don't collect them.
The city's Ordinance Committee takes up the issue Tuesday afternoon.
It is already against the law to be in possession of a shopping cart beyond the parking lot of a store.
The proposed ordinance would require stores to clearly identify their carts, take preventive measures, and train employees in shopping cart security after-hours.
The carts were designed for carrying groceries or other goods, but are often used by the homeless or taken off parking lots and discarded in the city.
The city is also strengthening its laws later this month against the storage of personal belongings on the sidewalk.
