PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A new bill introduced in Philadelphia City Council Thursday will consider regulating car ‘barnacles,’ a new tool used by private parking lot owners to immobilize vehicles and collect fees from drivers who park without permission.
The bright yellow boxes adhere to windshields, making vehicles impossible to drive.
The tool has been increasingly used by lot owners in place of towing, which has been heavily regulated by City Council. After the regulation, posted signs, clear fees and police-issued tickets are now required before a vehicle can be towed.
Currently, barnacles are totally unregulated, allowing the potential for misuse. They can be slapped on in seconds after a driver parks and removal fees can be set on a whim.
Councilwoman Cindy Bass’s bill would put barnacles in the same category as tow trucks, with the same restrictions and specifies that they could not be employed unless the vehicle has been ticketed by police.
The punishment would be a $1,000 ticket, which is the same doled out for illegal towing.
Bass said she hopes the bill will prevent predatory practices, such as exorbitant fees for removal.