Tag Archives for: Barnacle

Barnacle® Parking Produces, Donates Critical Face Shields to Frontline Workers Across the Country

June 18, 2020

 

 

 

 

Barnacle® Parking Produces, Donates Critical Face Shields to Frontline Workers Across the Country

 

 

 

Parking-Enforcement Specialist Shifts Gears to Help Local, State Employees Nationwide

 

 

 

NEW YORK (June 18, 2020) – As the nation copes with the COVID-19 pandemic, Barnacle®, a leading parking-enforcement solutions provider, has shifted its focus to aid healthcare and essential workers in 19 states who need personal protective equipment (PPE) while executing their jobs in public.

 

Widely known for replacing booting and towing with its bright yellow windshield blocker, Barnacle is now creating reusable face shields with the same materials it uses to manufacture cutting-edge immobilization devices. The company has donated face shields to dozens of local and state governments, healthcare facilities, and essential workforces across the country. More than 700 shields have been shipped to date with an estimated retail value exceeding $63,000.

 

“High-quality PPE is at a premium in this country, especially among healthcare professionals and first responders tirelessly working to help those on the frontline of COVID-19,” said Barnacle Chairman Colin Heffron. “From Los Angeles to New York, and Las Vegas to West Palm Beach, we heard about dire circumstances and the critical need for PPE. We quickly realized we had the capabilities to make a significant contribution to the safety of many heroic frontline workers.”

 

Barnacle swiftly implemented production measures to meet COVID-19 social distancing requirements, mobilized team members to work in specialized shifts and produced and supplied the face shields to cities, hospitals and other frontline entities. The shields are extremely durable, adjustable and designed for easy sanitization and multi-use.

 

Heffron says Barnacle will continue to produce and donate face shields as long as critical demand remains among healthcare facilities and first responders. Organizations interested in more information or securing Barnacle face shields are encouraged to reach out to info@barnacleparking.com.

 

To see essential and frontline workers using the shields, watch this video.

 

About Barnacle®

Barnacle® is rewriting the book on smart immobilization service technologies. Innovation and user-experience are key to the future of the industry and the communities the company serves. These communities are no longer willing to accept the status quo of antiquated technologies and practices, such as punitive towing and outdated boots. It is time to use a service/technology that truly enhances user experience, convenience, safety and efficiency. For more information about Barnacle, visit barnacleparking.com.

 

Barnacle Parking Enforcement has integrated their Enterprise Management System with Ballparc’s cloud-based enforcement platform

March 12, 2020

 

Barnacle Parking Enforcement has integrated their Enterprise Management System with Ballparc’s cloud-based enforcement platform

 

 

 

February 19, 2020 – Barnacle Parking Enforcement has integrated their Enterprise Management System with Ballparc’s cloud-based enforcement platform. The new integration will support mutual customers including Premier Parking and Allpro Parking. This robust integration allows for total functionality, including synchronization ofdeployments, violations and payments.

 

The Barnacle and Ballparc integration allows Parking Enforcement Officers to deploy devices in the BarnacleEnforcer application, with current violations automatically retrieved from Ballparc.

Additionally, the integration enables violations to be marked as closed and paid in the Ballparc system once the motoristreleases a device via Barnacle’s 24/7 call center or web payment portal. This seamless integration will enhance thedriver/violator experience while reducing the administrative workload for customers.

 

About Barnacle

Barnacle® Parking Enforcement was formed to modernize parking enforcement with a customer service- orientedtechnology that enhances compliance and collects on unpaid citations. Barnacle has developed a patented solution that embeds mobile connectivity and online payment processing within consumer and enforcement friendly immobilization. Barnacle is leveraging technology to improve process efficiencies and provide unmatched standards interms of deployment, cost savings and motorist satisfaction.

 

About Ballparc Enforcement

Ballparc Enforcement is a powerful and flexible handheld solution used for issuing and managing parking citations.Innovative features such as GPS mapping, geofencing, repeat offender tracking, and dispute management enablesparking operators to gain a competitive edge and adapt to the changing landscape of the parking industry. This cloud-based platform creates a real-time connection between officers in the field and the back-office staff, providing managementwith a birds-eye view of their operation so they can make informed decisions.

 

 

 

 

Barnacle and UP Safety integrate technology platforms to offer unparalleled end-to-end enforcement and immobilization capability to Allentown and other leading municipalities

January 21, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barnacle and UP Safety integrate technology platforms to offer unparalleled end-to-end enforcement and immobilization capability to Allentown and other leading municipalities

 

 

 

Barnacle® Parking Enforcement has integrated their Enterprise Management System with United Public Safety’s (UPsafety) CityCiteÒ  parking enforcement management solution.  The new integration will support mutual customers including Allentown (PA) Parking Authority.  The integration allows for seamless functionality between systems, including deployments directly from the UPsafety application as well as payment processing for both Immobilization Fees and Violation Fees due.   Additonally, all tracking and real-time locations of Barnacles will be available in the UPsafety system.  John Morgan, the Executive Director of Allentown Parking Authority, stated “This system is a very powerful tool with a robust, thoughtfully built integration”.

 

About Barnacle

Barnacle® Parking Enforcement was formed to modernize parking enforcement with a customer service-oriented technology that enhances compliance and collects on unpaid citations.  Barnacle has developed a patented solution that embeds mobile connectivity and online payment processing within consumer and enforcement friendly immobilization.  Barnacle is leveraging technology to improve process efficiencies and provide unmatched standards in terms of deployment, cost savings and motorist satisfaction.

 

About United Public Safety

Founded in 2012, UPsafety is a leading provider of enforcement solutions to modern governments, parking authorities and campus operations across the US and Candada. The Company is committed to the idea that government technology doesn’t have to be outdated, software doesn’t have to be complex to be smart, and that small teams can do big things. Their mission is to bring governments in to the modern age by making cutting edge technology accessible to even the smallest departments.  UPsafety specializes in enforcement lifecycle applications, with a focus on the latest technology, seamless implementations and a dedication to 24/7/365 in-house support.

 

Allpro Parking Introduces the Barnacle: The Less Intrusive Immobilization Device

October 28, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

Allpro Parking Introduces the Barnacle: The Less Intrusive Immobilization Device

 

(Buffalo, NY) – On November 1, Allpro Parking, LLC, a local leader in innovative parking solutions, will begin deploying the Barnacle® as their preferred method of parking enforcement. In order to run a comprehensive and professional parking operation, Allpro required an enforcement solution for those who fail to pay or follow regulations in their parking lots. This easy-to-use immobilization device simplifies parking enforcement; putting the customer in control over the release of the device.

 

After several warnings have been issued and immobilization becomes necessary, Allpro Parking will deploy the Barnacle instead of the parking boot. The device has two commercial grade suction cups that adhere to the vehicle windshield with 1,000 pounds of force. By obstructing the driver’s view, the Barnacle prohibits legal operation of the vehicle rendering it immobilized. The device is equipped with tamper alarms and GPS tracking. Drivers can easily remove the Barnacle by following the instructions printed on the device which allows them to pay online or over the phone 24 hours a day. After release, the driver is responsible to return the Barnacle to the drop box next to the Allpro Parking office.

“We value our customers and always want to provide the professional difference and a convenient experience,” Richard A. Serra, President and CEO of Allpro Parking said. “The Barnacle is a great solution for our company and for our customers – and is far less intrusive than the conventional methods of booting or towing. Parking with Allpro Parking is made easy.”

In addition to paying an attendant or by meter, Allpro Parking provides several other convenient ways to pay for parking with apps such as Passport Parking, HonkMobile, and ParkMobile; reserving parking in advance through ParkWhiz and SpotHero, and the newest method, Tap to Pay by HonkMobile, which does not require an app download. By using the Barnacle for enforcement, Allpro Parking hopes to ease the burden of immobilization for its customers.

“Allpro Parking is known for their award-winning customer service, and we are thrilled they are introducing the Barnacle platform to their offering,” said Kevin Dougherty, CEO of Barnacle Parking Enforcement. “We believe that enforcement is a necessary part of the customer service process, as it ensures fairness, space availability, and convenience to customers. The Barnacle system provides that enforcement in a customer friendly way that is fast and easy to resolve.”

To learn more about the Barnacle, visit https://barnacleparking.com/press.

ABOUT ALLPRO PARKING

Allpro Parking was founded in Buffalo, NY in 2000 and has expanded across New York State, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Today, the company employs over 500 individuals at over 150 locations. Allpro provides professional parking management, facility maintenance, ground transportation, and event logistics to developers, property managers, institutions, and government entities across a wide spectrum of markets. In 2012, Allpro Parking was the recipient of the Buffalo Niagara Business Ethics Award and the Buffalo Niagara Human Resource Association Outstanding Employee Culture Award. In 2018, the company was awarded the first-in-the-nation “Seal of Integrity & Excellence” from the National Parking Association. For more information about Allpro Parking, LLC, visit allproparking.com.

IPS Group and Barnacle Integration Released

August 27, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

IPS Group and Barnacle Integration Released

 

 

 

Barnacle Parking Enforcement has integrated their Enterprise Management System with the IPS Group Enforcement Management Solution. The new integration will support a rapidly expanding number of mutual clients across the globe.  With the integration complete, Barnacle can automatically query license plates for delinquent citations and then mark them paid.  The integration creates a seamless functionality, reducing workload for the parking enforcement officer and lessening administrative requirements for management.

 

Here’s how it works: The Barnacle Immobilization Solution suctions onto a vehicle’s windshield and blocks the driver’s vision, rendering the vehicle immobilized. Each device is GPS-equipped, sends real-time alerts, and allows for the violator to easily remove the device by paying online or over the phone. Barnacle provides payment processing and a 24/7 call center accessible to violators. The Barnacle Enterprise Management System (BEMS) is a comprehensive customer portal for management of the technology. BEMS provides GPS tracking, activity logs, deployment records, data reporting, inventory control, and access to the iOS/Android Enforcer native application.

 

With the IPS Group integration in effect, parking enforcement officers can type the license plate number into the deployment screen on the BEMS system or Enforcer App.  By querying The IPS Group Enforcement Management Solution, BEMS identifies all delinquent citations and creates a sum total to ensure the violator can pay as required. Once paid, BEMS communicates back to IPS Group to mark all respective citations as paid, thereby reducing the administrative workload on staff.

 

About the IPS Enforcement Management Solution: The platform provides real-time access to handle the entire citation lifecycle, including citation issuance, citation processing and delinquent collections. The ecosystem seamlessly integrates with existing parking technology, such as Single- and Multi-Space Smart Parking meters, Vehicle Detection Sensors, License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology, and pay-by-phone applications.

The platform includes a handheld citation writer and an Enforcement Management System that serves as a back office, web-based application that receives citation information from the enforcement device in real-time, tracking and monitoring all stages of the citation process. It also includes an online Public Portal that provides citizens convenient access to their citation information with the ability to pay, resolve or contest it online.

 

IPS Group: For over 20 years, IPS has delivered world-class solutions through its Fully-Integrated Smart Parking Platform, including Smart Single- and Multi-Space Meters, Pay Station Upgrade Kits, Enforcement and Permitting Solutions, Vehicle Detection Sensors, Mobile Applications, Smart Cash Collection Systems, hosted Data Management Software with Advanced Data Analytics, and more. Unlike some that promote surface-level integrated solutions with basic data sharing, IPS offers a deeply connected system built from the ground up with complete, system-wide control at your fingertips.

 

Barnacle:   Barnacle® Parking Enforcement was formed to modernize parking enforcement with a customer service-oriented technology that enhances compliance and collects on unpaid citations.  Barnacle has developed a patented solution that embeds mobile connectivity and online payment processing within consumer and enforcement friendly immobilization.  Barnacle is leveraging technology to improve process efficiencies and provide unmatched standards in terms of deployment, cost savings, and motorist satisfaction.  The platform is a fully integrated end-to-end solution for vehicle immobilization which includes Barnacle immobilization devices, payment processing, the Barnacle Enterprise Management Systems (BEMS), a 24/7 tier 2 call center, device deposit/recovery program, and remote motorist release.

www.barnacleparking.com

 

 

 

California to prevent Municipalities from enforcing parking regulations 

August 08, 2019

 

 

 

California to prevent Municipalities from enforcing parking regulations

 

 

 

by Kevin Dougherty, CEO Barnacle Parking Enforcement

 

 

 

As a young Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps, I received a great piece of leadership advice from a salty old Master Sergeant.  He told me:  “The moment you don’t uphold a standard, you just set a new standard”.  California bill AB516 is on the cusp of becoming law. If passed, it will effectively ban the enforcement of parking ordinances across the state, forcing municipalities to rely only on collections and registration holds.  This will have immediate and profound effects on every municipality in the state, with the greatest impact being felt by local businesses, residents, and municipal revenues.

 

Like many cities and states – current laws in the State of California allow enforcement of parking regulations through immobilization and towing after 5 or more parking citations have not been paid within the designated time period.  Drivers who meet these criteria are deemed “scofflaws” and when their vehicle is identified on a public road, they can be immobilized or towed. Following immobilization or towing, they must pay outstanding fines (or enroll in a payment plan) before getting their car back.

 

The AB516 bill would: “delete the authority of a peace officer or public employee, as appropriate, to remove or immobilize a vehicle under those circumstances.”

 

In its current form, AB516 would make the following changes:

  • No immobilization or towing for scofflaw vehicles
  • No towing of a vehicle in a tow away zone until:
    • 5 days after identification (extending from current law, which allows for 72 hours)
    • Notice of violation, with information on available parking alternatives
  • Towing operators would not be able to conduct a lien sale to cover towing and storage fees

 

As a result, the only options left in California Vehicle Code are withholding registrations and/or sending the debt to collections or Franchise Tax Board Intercepts.

 

The purpose of AB516 is to prevent undue hardship on drivers, especially lower income drivers. The premise being that that lower income drivers are disproportionally affected by towing and immobilization.  Consumer protection and fair collections practices are a noble cause and should be considered as one of the guiding principles when adopting an effective enforcement program.  However, AB516 overreaches on consumer protection to the detriment of all other considerations.

 

This brings us to the question: “Why is parking enforcement necessary?”. Voluntary compliance with parking regulations it the desired end state of any enforcement program.

The desired outcomes of parking enforcement are:

  1. Promote the safe and free flow of traffic
  2. Ensure parking turnover
  3. Ensure payment compliance

 

The end of enforcement is the end of widespread compliance.  While many people will follow the rules regardless of the threat of enforcement, a large percentage of people will not.  Especially when they deem the offense to be minor, like overstaying in a parking spot or driving above the speed limit.  For example – A road with speed traps at regular intervals will have less people driving over the speed limit.  Similarly – a well communicated and enforced parking management program will ensure widespread compliance. And, the more visible the enforcement, the more effective it is.

 

Julie Dixon, President of Dixon Resources Unlimited, a parking operations and enforcement expert provides the following insight on the need for parking enforcement:

 

“A comprehensive parking enforcement program is critical to ensuring the safety of municipal streets and the availability of parking.  When parking citations are not actively reinforced by effective escalation methods like relevant citation penalties, immobilization and, as a last resort, towing – people will stop following parking regulations”

 

The League of California Cities, an association that represents most of the state’s 482 cities, has opposed the bill, text available here: http://blob.capitoltrack.com/19blobs/a94ed77b-5f21-4a12-85c3-929e5a6b138a

 

If California passes AB 516 prohibiting the escalation of parking enforcement, the effect will be profound.

 

  • Financial:
    • Current California municipal incomes from parking tickets is over $500 Million annually
    • Without effective enforcement and collections, revenues will decrease significantly, which will shrink parking budgets and decrease the ticketing workforce, having a cascading effect that will undercut the entire process
    • In many cities, parking revenues are essential to funding public services
  • Local Business:
    • Businesses rely on parking turnover to allow their customers a place to park
    • If parking standards are no longer actively enforced, people will stay in spots longer, causing potential customers to abandon their errand, resulting in a continued hardship for brick and mortar businesses
    • Added costs and demands to both private and public off street parking facilities
  • Traffic and Safety:
    • Even with effective enforcement techniques – Parking Expert Donald Shoup estimates: “in a 15-block area in Los Angeles’ Westwood Village alone, cars travel about 950,000 miles annually just cruising for parking, burning 47,000 gallons of gasoline and emitting 730 tons of carbon dioxide”
    • Lack of available parking leads to increased congestion, further clogging roadways that are already maxed out during peak hours

 

When it comes to escalation of parking enforcement, options are already limited and finding a balanced approach that effectively encourages compliance without being overly draconian can be a difficult task.

 

Collections and Franchise Tax Board Intercepts are ineffective at encouraging compliance. The process is often only initiated after a substantial amount of time and debt has accrued.  The combination of late fees, the collections agency’s fees, and the accrual of tickets means violators will owe substantial sums of money. This is the worst-case scenario for low income residents of California.  The consequences are often so far removed from the offenses, both by time and relatability, they are not an effective deterrent or motivation to comply with parking regulations.

 

Towing can be an overly punitive method of enforcement with greatest effects felt by the poor.  Loss of a vehicle combined with a multitude of fees, including mileage, daily storage, transit to the impound lot, and the tow itself add up to a significant amount of money.  This is a situation that many households cannot easily manage financially, and therefore lose their vehicle. Towing should only be used to ensure free flow of traffic and for safety reasons.

 

Immobilizations, when used as part of a comprehensive outreach program, can be a very effective means of enforcement without being overly punitive.  Immobilizations allow the motorist to still keep their vehicle, and can provide an early and inexpensive intervention before the fines become overly burdensome.  From the League of California Cities Opposition Letter:

“When it comes to the immobilization of a vehicle, it is key to remember that this method is only used when someone has five or more unpaid parking tickets and the payment plans offered to them by the city, as established by recently chaptered bills AB 503 (2017) and AB 2544 (2018). These payment plans can be as low as $5 for an indigent person and $25 for a non-indigent person. This is a fair process that allows low-income individuals to pay their outstanding parking citations without impacting their ability to maintain their livelihood.”

 

When best practices are applied, consumer protection is prioritized, and motorists are treated as a customer – a balanced approach can become the solution to the problems that brought about AB516 in the first place.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB516

 

info@barnacleparking.com

 

 

 

Barnacle and AIMS integration completed

August 02, 2019

 

 

 

Barnacle and AIMS integration completed

 

 

 

 Barnacle® Parking Enforcement has integrated its Enterprise Management System with AIMS’ Parking Management Software to create a seamless enforcement solution.  The new integration will support mutual customers at UC Davis Medical Center, City of Las Vegas and Auburn University.  With the integration complete, Barnacle can automatically query license plates for delinquent citations and then mark them paid following release.

 

 

 

How it works:  The Barnacle adheres to a vehicles windshield and blocks the driver’s vision, rendering the vehicle immobilized.  Each device has GPS, sends real-time alerts and allows a violator to remove by paying over the phone or online.  Barnacle provides payment processing and a 24/7 call center. Barnacle’s Enterprise Management System (BEMS) is a comprehensive customer portal for management of the entire suite of technology.  BEMS provides access to real-time GPS tracking, activity logs, deployment records, data reporting, inventory control and access to the iOS/Android Enforcer native application.

 

With the AIMS integration in effect, parking enforcement officers can type the license plate into the deployment screen on the BEMS system or Enforcer App.  By querying AIMS Parking Management Software, BEMS identifies all delinquent citations and creates a sum total to ensure the violator can pay as required.  Once paid, BEMS communicates back to AIMS to mark all respective citations as paid, thereby reducing the administrative workload on staff.

 

Both Barnacle and AIMS have designed systems to simplify and improve the experience for users.  AIMS is a proven leader in the industry with a loyal customer-base. Barnacle seeks to utilize its innovative new platform and technology to further enhance the capabilities for AIMS customers.

 

www.barnacleparking.com