These Weird-Looking Tubes Catch NJ Parking Violators–And They’re Popping Up Everywhere

Those odd little tubes you may have noticed near fire hydrants and no-parking signs around Morristown are “SafetySticks,” solar-powered camera devices that photograph your license plate if you linger in a restricted spot for more than 30 seconds. The manufacturer, Texas-based Municipal Parking Systems, installs them for free and takes 40 to 50 percent of the ticket revenue, and the company claims they can cut illegal parking by up to 95 percent within a year. Morristown is one of about 15 New Jersey towns already running the devices, with more municipalities expected to join the party soon.