Abandoned shopping carts are a chronic problem in the City of Peekskill, and now a local council member is proposing a solution.

Peekskill Council Member Brian Fassett is proposing fines for shoppers who take carts off premises.

His proposal would change the municipal code and require business owners to prevent the removal of shopping carts. It would also clearly mark carts with the business name and address.

Businesses would have to display a sign in both English and Spanish near the entrance and exit of stores notifying customers they could face a fine starting at $150 for taking a cart off property.

The proposal would also allow the city to retrieve and store abandoned carts and charge businesses $50 a cart to have them returned. "What we are looking for is accountability from both the business owner and the shopper to understand that this is a joint effort,” said Fassett.

The proposal will be discussed at a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Peekskill City Hall.