Beginning on August 24, Dallas’s Department of Transportation and Public Works will begin using self-release immobilizers, commonly known as “barnacles,” on the windshields of vehicles with multiple unpaid parking citations. The devices are black and yellow and attach to the glass with a lock and several sturdy suction cups.
Windshield barnacles cannot be removed illegally, as the devices will emit a loud siren if someone is messing with them. Each barnacle has a GPS tracker as well that triggers the siren if the car attempts to leave the area with the barnacle still attached. Device tampering carries $500 in fines.
When barnacles are placed on vehicles throughout the city, a notice is left for the driver to explain why the device has been put in place and how it can be legally and properly removed. Essentially, after the barnacle is attached to the windshield, drivers have 24 hours to pay their outstanding parking citations as well as a $100 fee to immobilize and remove the device.
Additionally, a $300 refundable hold must be authorized on one of the driver’s credit cards that will then be released within a three day period after the barnacle has been returned to the city. Because, yes, it is the driver’s responsibility to return the device after paying their outstanding citations and fees. More on that in a second.
If the unpaid citations and new fees aren’t paid within that 24-hour window, the vehicle will be towed. Payment plans are available for those who are unable to cover the costs in one lump sum. After everything has been squared away financially, drivers are given a unique code to unlock the barnacle, which then must be returned to a designated drop-off box.
The drop-off box is located at 320 E. Jefferson Blvd. outside Oak Cliff Municipal Center in Dallas. If you fail to return the barnacle after it has been removed, you will be charged that $300 fee.
Windshield barnacles program is part of the city’s greater on-street parking program
When announcing its decision to start using barnacles on August 24, city officials noted in a release, “The Barnacle program is part of an ongoing modernization effort of the city’s on-street parking program. As the list of parking scofflaw vehicles (vehicles with three or more unpaid parking tickets during a calendar year) grows by as much as 150 to 300 vehicles per year, the city sought a more efficient solution.”
The idea behind using these devices was to decrease towing costs in the city and to help drivers more easily regain use of their cars. It’s part of a greater effort that also includes a 25-cent raise in parking meter rates that will start downtown on September 1. Deep Ellum will then see the increase toward the middle of October.
Dallas residents spoke with NBC 5 about the barnacles. Douglas McNamara said, “So the concept of this barnacle – the windshield that you can unlock it yourself – you pay the fine and you unlock it, I kind of like that concept.” Ande McNamara added, “I like to see innovation, but it seems bizarre that you’ve got to bring the piece back – so it will be interesting to see how that works out.”
Ibrahaim Querashi has mixed feelings about the whole thing. “Bro, we had boots on cars – we’re spending taxpayer dollars. I get it – you don’t want people parking everywhere, but I think it’s a waste of money for the city.”
For additional information on how the barnacle program works and who to contact for assistance if needed, click here.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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