Reclaiming Carts From the Homeless

I read your article on Viva Mart’s reclaiming of its shopping carts with concern and confusion.

I understand that the homeless have a need. At least the homeless who are victims of circumstance and not homeless by choice.

However, the shopping carts represent a financial investment on the part of the supermarket. They are purchased for use by the customers of that market.

Once removed from the property of the market without their permission, the cart is stolen property. When did it become illegal to reclaim stolen property?

If a homeless person puts their possessions in my car, does that make the car theirs? Am I subject to a lawsuit by Legal Aid if I remove their belongings and reclaim my car?

Some good will came out of the situation because the market will be working with the homeless. Good by virtue of blackmail, however, is not what this country is supposed to be all about. They had no right to the carts, and by threatening a lawsuit and the attending publicity, Legal Aid blackmailed the market into cooperation.

K.A. GRIMES

Westminster