Lansford Borough Council on Tuesday heard a pitch about a device to help with parking enforcement, but council members and residents didn’t seem sold on the product.

The large yellow device, called a Barnacle, attaches to a parking violator’s vehicle windshield with suction cups employing 1,000 pounds of force.

Violators have to scan a QR code and pay a fine to get a release code, and then return the device to a dropbox, or forfeit a $200 or $250 hold on their credit or debit card.

The $200 or $250 hold on the card is a deposit on the device that is refunded after three to five business days. This deposit fee ensures the return of the device, and is in addition to the fine for the violation.

“So, instead of getting a ticket, having your car towed away, you receive almost like an instant ticket,” explained Andrew Lovett, operations manager for Parking Solutions & Resources LLC.

He provided information on the devices during council’s joint committee meetings, but there were questions.

Among the questions asked was what if the violator doesn’t have a cellphone or credit card to pay the fine and get a release code. Lovett explained that there would have to be a phone number on the device and cash option for people to pay to have the device removed.

Another question was what happens if someone removes the device and decides not to return it to the dropbox. Lovett said that is why a hold for the cost of the device is placed on the person’s credit card, and people are given a specified amount of time to return the device.

Lovett asked if the borough would want to deploy the devices itself, or have his company deploy them. Councilman Joe Butrie asked about the difference in cost. Councilman Jack Soberick had suggested that the borough may need 10 devices.

“You have to be able to ensure that your math is correct, and you purchase those 10 devices, that the monthly recurring charge doesn’t stop, you have to be able to fulfill that 10 device, you know, writing that amount of violations,” Lovett said.

Having a company deploy the devices for the borough, Lovett said, produces a higher deployment rate with collection rates over 90%. He said the borough last year collected 33% of tickets issued, based on public records.

“And there’s not as much of an upfront cost,” Lovett said. “If you hire our company to deploy them for you, there are things that we can deploy without a written ticket, like for instance, parking meters and things like that.”

Soberick asked about lawsuits against the company regarding excessive tolls, and Lovett said not against his company. Soberick said he was referring to Barnacle, itself.

Soberick also questioned what happens if an officer was incorrect, or the person fights the ticket and wins. The borough would have to refund the money that the person paid to have the Barnacle released, the councilman continued.

Council Vice President Jay Doyle had also asked about being able to fight the ticket.

“You can’t take away a person’s right to due process to fight the ticket,” Soberick said.

Resident Joe Gentis suggested pitching the product to Jim Thorpe borough, where there is a lot of parking, and if they use it, maybe the smaller boroughs will follow suit.

Councilwoman Michele Bartek, who chairs public safety, said she would like to bring this to the police chief and police department for their input before moving forward.