Residents say windshield barnacles are predatory, question legality

Now at 11, the big story on Action News is a parking controversy involving a bootlike device that's got drivers sounding the alarm on social media. It's called a barnacle that attaches to your windshield and costs quite a bit of money to remove. Action News has investigated this practice for more than two years now. Action News reporter Leland Pender is live in Northern Liberties tonight with why the story of some drivers say they're being targeted. Well, Rick, parking here at Fourth and Spring Garden can be very tight, and lawyers for the parking company tell me these barnacles are the lot owner's way of making sure there are spaces available for people patronizing these businesses. Now, according to the city's public safety committee, these devices appear largely unregulated and don't fall under current laws on towing. Nick Valta says he parked in this lot at Spring Garden in Fourth to run across the street to CVS. Literally not even five minutes later and I noticed the what what do they call it? Car bungle. >> Barnacle. >> Barnacle. Yeah. I noticed the barnacle. Yeah. On my windshield. >> To get it off. $100, a fee that can reportedly fluctuate at the company's discretion. Some people we talked to believe what's happening here is predatory and illegal. >> This is a private parking lot. I get that. There is a right way and a wrong way. When contacted Tuesday, the towing company CEO, Mckina Harrison of Bob Sponges Parking Enforcement Services, referred me to her lawyer. >> Is your client's company contracted with the Robinson group that owns the lot for this parking enforcement here? >> Yes, they are. >> The 6ABC investigative team reported on this issue in 2023. Critics say companies that bestow the barnacle are skirting the city's ticket to tow law. The right way is to call the police and have them ticket the car. It then can also be towed. >> But Mincy Stan says parkers are exploiting that knowledge despite signage hoping to be in and out before police or the PPA can arrive. >> We've all done that. But um it doesn't mean that it's right and it doesn't mean that the people who own these private lots don't have rights. >> The city discussed regulating or banning barnacles in late 2023. Tuesday night, I was unable to get an update on where things stand. >> It's upsetting that the city hasn't acted sooner. >> Now, I did check with Philadelphia police tonight, though, and they tell me that towing companies are not authorized to immobilize vehicles and demand payment. Officers must issue a citation before any tow or boot. Muny though maintains the barnacle is not illegal. We're live here in Northern Liberties, Leland Pender, Channel 6 Action News. Rick. All right.