CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Charleston, S.C. Parking officers plan to try a new tactic for immobilizing vehicles with an excessive amount of unpaid parking tickets.
The pilot program will use the "Barnacle" instead of the current parking-enforcement boot.
The Barnacle is a large yellow clamp that attaches to a vehicle's windshield through suction cups. It effectively blocks a driver's ability to see out their windshield.
The city hopes it will reduce employee injuries and vehicle damage while offering people "fast and more convenient ways" to get their cars moving again.
To get the Barnacle removed, people could make payments via phone by credit card anytime, day or night. Once the fees are paid, parking enforcement enters a code on the device, releasing the suction and removing it.
“As much as we don't like doing it, it's sometimes necessary to immobilize a vehicle. It's our hope that this new technology will eventually make that process more efficient, and hopefully a little less painful, for everyone involved," City of Charleston Director of Traffic and Transportation Robbie Somerville said.A GPS monitor in the device would sound off an alarm if someone attempts to move the vehicle.
The city is in test mode, so parking officials will start using the Barnacles on a small number of vehicles Monday. If found successful, they will consider switching over completely.
There will be an additional $500 fee for tampering with the Barnacle or attempting to remove it from a vehicle, as with the parking boots.
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