City of Columbia adds wheel immobilization devices to downtown parking enforcement program

(COLUMBIA, MO) ~ Columbia Parking Enforcement Implements New Wheel Immobilization Devices for Repeat Parking Violators

Starting Monday, July 13, the City of Columbia's Parking Enforcement will be utilizing wheel immobilization devices in addition to the Barnacle windshield immobilization devices already in use. This new addition does not signify a change in city policy, but rather provides parking enforcement staff with another option for dealing with repeat parking violators.

According to Tiffany Heibel, the parking maintenance and enforcement supervisor, these immobilization devices are not meant for first-time offenders or those with occasional unpaid citations. They are specifically reserved for vehicles that have accumulated four or more unpaid parking citations and have failed to resolve them after their court dates.

Before a vehicle is immobilized, parking enforcement agents will place a green warning notice on it, giving the owner 72 hours to address their outstanding citations. This serves as an additional opportunity for vehicle owners to take care of their fines before any further action is taken.

"Our goal is voluntary compliance, not immobilizing vehicles," stated Heibel. "Drivers who pay or contest their parking citations on time will never encounter these devices. They are intended only for those who repeatedly ignore citations and fail to address them through the court process."

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The wheel immobilization devices function similarly to the Barnacle by preventing a vehicle from being driven until all outstanding fines have been paid or other arrangements have been made through the Municipal Court process. Once this has been done, Parking Enforcement staff will remove the device, allowing the driver to continue on their way immediately.

In comparison to towing, which can be disruptive and costly for drivers, immobilization allows the vehicle to remain where it is parked. This means no towing or storage fees and no need to retrieve the vehicle from an impound lot.

It is important for drivers to remember that parking citations are due within 15 days of issuance. Those who wish to contest a citation can do so through the City's established parking citation process. More information about paying or contesting citations, as well as applicable ordinances and fines, can be found on the City's website at CoMo.gov/law/parking-tickets/.

Parking citations can be paid online at Pay.CoMo.gov, by phone at 573.874.7694 (Option 4), or in person at either the Violations Bureau on the second floor of 600 E. Broadway or the Columbia Police Department on Sixth Street and Walnut Street.

Parking Enforcement urges drivers to promptly take care of their parking citations to avoid any further enforcement actions, including vehicle immobilization or towing. By resolving citations before their court date, drivers can save themselves from additional fees and inconveniences.

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