Earlier this evening, the boys on the corner had taken, for the umpteenth time, another Target cart to use for their business’ use. I am sick and tired of their careless attitude towards responsibility and adult authority in the community. They have done it upwards of around 30 times or more and have been counseled on it as many times, by Target, the Police and responsible adults in the community and yet, there are never any repercussions…ever. I stole a Hostess fruit pie at 15, got handcuffed and taken to the Whitehall Police Station. There was no warning, no less 30 or more. If I’d done something I wasn’t supposed to and did it again or 3 more times or 4 or more, there would have been serious repercussions from those in charge of me. Why are those in charge, the adults, not making these kids responsible for their actions? I suspect they’re not learning their lessons distinctly because there are no repercussions.

So, as I drove through English Village I then noticed two other carts, upended in different parts. I then called Mr. Woodruff’s Service Department. On Friday at 4:30 pm (open ’til 5), I got a recording saying they were away from their desk. I pressed ‘1’ to be transferred to Code Enforcement. Just a message saying Walt Sural was out due to the current health crisis. So, no one at home, no one there to help.

I then called Target and spoke with a manager. I explained what was happening, she explained they’d fairly done all they could about the situation and had, essentially, thrown their hands in the air. Strike out, 2 for 2.

I then called the Police department and asked that an officer call me back. The dispatcher told me, paraphrasing, ‘We’ve been told to tell anyone that calls about the boys at Robinwood and Doney to call the Code Enforcement Department. I mentioned that there is an ordinance that states that ‘possession of a shopping cart away from the premises of the owner of the shopping cart shall be considered prima-facie evidence of petit larceny and/or possession of stolen goods.’ So I asked who would be enforcing that. She again referred me back to Code Enforcement who would be gone for two days. Strike 3.

Then there is this from the Service Director, Zach Woodruff, in regard to this very issue:

In the video Mr. Woodruff says, clearly, carts taken off the property is theft and that would be handled by the Division of Police. The ordinance says that someone in possession of a cart off the owner’s property considered prima-facie evidence of petit larceny and/or possession of stolen goods. And yet, when I call the Police, they refer me back to Code, Mr. Woodruff’s department. He also clearly states his lacks attitude about this whole problem. 4th strike.

Ward 4 Councilperson Lori Elmore chastised her fellow Councilpersons for bringing the issue up because as she stated , its a matter for Administration: Mayor Maggard and her Service Department. That which the Mayor is NOT administering.

So, Lori Elmore says my issue lies with Administration. So, I go through Administration: Police, Service Department/Code enforcement and they ALL pass the buck. So, Council can’t do anything, Target won’t do anything, the Service department disrespects and won’t enforce the ordinances Council has put on the books and the Police’s top boss, Mayor Maggard, has clearly instructed them to pass that buck back to the Service Department who think its a non-issue and won’t force Target to comply (but they’ll force private citizens into jail for non-compliance about junk and weeds and such.

Got it!