5th Wheel May Rein In Those Wandering Shopping Carts

Politically incorrect though it may be, I think the same thought every time I see someone pushing a shopping cart full of their life’s possessions, laundry or tinfoil collection.

Said thought: Hey, that shopping cart doesn’t belong to you! Put it back where you got it!

Now, relief may be near for unreconstructed moralists like me. Not to mention grocery store owners who, on average, lose 12% of their carts each year.

CalFare Corp., a San Diego firm run by a certified public accountant when he’s not doing somebody’s taxes, is offering a product called the 5th Wheel to curb cart theft.

This is not altogether new; the 5th Wheel has been on the market since 1985. But what is new, is that it may finally be coming to San Diego.

For various reasons, CalFare president Ray Calhoun has been unable to interest local stores. But he thinks a breakthrough is imminent.

Think of it as making good in New Haven and now on to Broadway. A glowing review in this month’s Progressive Grocer magazine should help.

Safeway is using 5th Wheel in Northern California. Also, Alpha Beta in Los Angeles, and other stores in Hawaii and the East Coast: 30,000 5th Wheels in all.

Considering the domestic fleet of shopping carts numbers 13 million (another 12 million worldwide), Calhoun figures he’s got a winner.

A cart costs $100 or more. A 5th Wheel costs but $25.

The problem is getting grocers to fight back. Incredibly, it’s often seen as bad business, image-wise, to try to keep your carts from going south.

“Retailers are really funny about this,” Calhoun said. “It’s as if they’re doing something wrong if they don’t make their carts available to disadvantaged people or whatever.”

The 5th Wheel is spring-loaded. Once the cart hits a curb or special speed-bump strip at the store’s exit, the wheel drops into place, making the cart able only to go in circles.

If Calhoun gets his way, San Diego may soon see shopping carts going round and round everywhere. That’s progress for you.

Of Murals, Mergers, Etc.

Heard and overheard.

* Members of the Ocean Beach People’s Natural Foods Market cooperative are voting overwhelmingly to retain the hippie-era mural “starburst/cosmic crystal.”

* A persistent rumor says the Public Utilities Commission will vote next Wednesday to approve The Merger, but with heavy restrictions that Southern California Edison may find unacceptable.

That could prompt Edison to quit the deal, causing much rejoicing locally.

But if the company persists, San Diego will appeal to the state Supreme Court.

* North County bumper sticker: “IQ Over 80. I’ll Signal.”

* Among those being honored at today’s Law Week Luncheon of the San Diego County Bar Assn.: criminal defense attorney Charles Sevilla, civil liberties champion Tom Homann, and Webster (Buzz) Kinnaird, senior attorney for the 4th District Court of Appeal.

* Speculation continues that San Diego Councilman Bob Filner will make a run for Congress next year.

He was spotted Wednesday in Sacramento talking about congressional redistricting with Assemblyman Pete Chacon (D-San Diego), chairman of a committee that will draw the lines.

Will They Still Be Cops?

Talking back.

* The reorganization plan for the San Diego Police Department, laden with image-softening new titles (sergeants would become supervising agents), is provoking unsolicited suggestions. Among them:

Guns could be “projectile dispensers,” and the gang detail the “misguided youth unit.”

Detectives could be “inquisitive persons,” beat cops “public behavior guidance representatives,” and police dogs “furry quadrupeds suppressing fleeing felons.”

* I like that sign for Living Bonsai Trees at Horton Plaza.

As opposed to what, Dead Bonsai Trees? The latter, of course, would be miniature firewood.

* President George Bush won’t be coming to the May 18 homecoming parade in San Diego.

No, it’s not because John Sununu is using the plane that weekend.

* Headline in Rancho Santa Fe Review: “Stabbing Stops Argument.” And starts bleeding.