Barnacle drop box located outside the Oak Cliff Municipal Center. Photo by Victoria Hernandez.
The City of Dallas will implement a new system starting Monday, Aug. 24, for those with three or more unpaid parking violations.
The Self-Release Windshield Vehicle Immobilizer Program will use what is known as a Barnacle, a device that will be placed on the windshield of vehicles that have multiple unpaid parking tickets.
The system is an alternative to immediately towing the vehicle and will be used when possible, according to a memo released by Assistant City Manager Dev Rastogi. The Barnacle is meant to allow the driver to “avoid locating their vehicle at an impound facility and incurring additional towing and storage fees.”
However, if the Barnacle is not removed within 24 hours, the vehicle will be towed.
To release the immobilizer, all outstanding parking citations have to be paid with an additional $100 immobilization fee. A QR code and the website used to pay are listed on the device.
Additionally, the motorist must authorize a $300 refundable credit card hold, which is typically released within three business days. Once the payment is completed, a unique code is provided to unlock the Barnacle from the windshield.
From there, motorists are required to bring the Barnacle to a return location. Currently, a drop box is located outside the Oak Cliff Municipal Center at 320 E. Jefferson Boulevard.
