Will a Forced Removal-Proof Illegal Parking Enforcement Device That Sticks to the Front Windshield Be Introduced? [News Terminology]

Front Windshield Attachment Blocks View, Driving Impossible... Must Enter Password to Release
Proposal by Seoul City Councilor Kim Dong-wook "Urgent Solution Needed"

'Barnacle' is an enforcement device that began to be used in the United States in 2015 as a replacement for wheel clamps on the rear wheels of illegally parked vehicles.

As the name 'Barnacle' suggests, the barnacle-shaped device, resembling a yellow plastic album, is attached to the front windshield of a car. Even if the driver tries to get in and drive, the device obstructs the view, making driving impossible. If someone attempts to forcibly remove the barnacle or leave the scene, an alarm sounds and a GPS tracking device is also attached.

The traditional wheel clamp used for illegal parking enforcement weighed about 20 kg and took around 2 minutes to install. In contrast, the barnacle is a foldable device weighing approximately 9.1 kg that only needs to be attached to the front windshield of the violating vehicle, and installation takes just about 1 minute. Once attached, the barnacle exerts a strong clamping force of about 340.2 kg (approximately 750 pounds), making it impossible to remove by ordinary human strength.

To remove the barnacle, a password must be obtained from the parking authority enforcing the illegal parking and entered into the device. The password is provided only after paying the fine to the authority. After entering the password and removing the barnacle, the driver must return it to a location designated by the parking authority within 24 hours. The only drawback is that, being an electronic device, the barnacle’s battery needs to be replaced periodically.

The barnacle was invented by New York businessman Kenan Doherty and investor Colin Hepfron, and is currently used for illegal parking enforcement in some areas of the United States, including New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Numerous local governments have also inquired about the barnacle, so it is expected to be introduced in many more regions in the future.

There has been a proposal to introduce the barnacle in Seoul City Council. On the 3rd, Kim Dong-wook, chairman of the Seoul Future Strategy Integration Promotion Special Committee of the Seoul City Council and a member of the People Power Party, suggested introducing the barnacle, an illegal parking enforcement device used in New York City and other places, during a 5-minute free speech at the 323rd temporary session of the city council plenary meeting.

Kim stated, "Relying on the resident reporting system to intermittently enforce illegal parking only in areas with many complaints does not solve the fundamental problem of illegal parking, for both citizens and the city," emphasizing this point.

He also said, "There are various effective methods for illegal parking enforcement, such as the device used in the United States," and strongly urged the introduction of the barnacle, saying, "We must promptly find a solution so that all Seoul citizens can use comfortable and safe driving and walking paths."