POCOMOKE CITY, Md. -- Neighbors are urging city leaders to investigate the root cause of a months-long shopping cart problem. Late last year, Pocomoke leaders considered a new law they believed would help, but nothing materialized.
Without a car, the Cephas family has to consider other modes of transportation for their laundry, groceries, and any other necessities they may need when running errands.
For the Cephas', that means using a shopping cart.
"We onlydoing, what, as humans we can do to maintain our own houses," said Priscilla Cephas."I mean that's about it, we're just living, working, I walk to work everyday, I walk home at night, it is what it is, you do what you got to do."
The Cephas' are not alone, which has become evident around town as abandoned shopping carts pile up. However, Cephas said her family and others who utilize the shopping carts are not to blame.
"Well the ones complaining should make a solution for it, make something happen, make rides available or find somewhere of putting the cars where they[city or stores] can get them back to the store," said Cephas.
In Oct. 2024, the city attempted to address the issue.
Mayor Todd Nock told WBOC on Monday that other city leaders didn't believe the legislation was necessary. Months later, Nock said he is still pushing for a solution.
"The real issue, however, isn't the carts -- it's the lack of reliable transportation. We need to stop ignoring the bigger picture and start championing real transportation solutions for our communities. Band-aid fixes won't cut it," said Nock.
Solving the shopping cart problem in Pocomoke, much like the root of the issue, could be complex.