Dozens of cars towed to make way for plows

The snow plows are tackling the snowy streets, but parked cars are in the way.

Wreckers towed 91 vehicles on Tuesday.

“We’ve had to tow quite a few vehicles,” said Idaho Falls Police Officer Buc Rogers. “A lot of people weren’t aware of it, for some reason.”

IFPD sent out a phone alert to residents on Monday, warning about parking restrictions after the city issued a snow alert.

Plows and police spent Tuesday on east-to-west lettered and numbered streets, telling neighbors to move their vehicles or issuing a $45 ticket.

Police said they issued at least 161 tickets on Tuesday.

While the cars have to go, they won’t be going far.

“We just tow them to an adjoining street — a north-south street for today,” Rogers explained.

Officers say the little inconvenience can be a big help.

“It can be real dangerous getting a fire engine or ambulance in the area,” Rogers said. “Even a police officer — if something is going on really bad, we can’t get down the street because the snow is packed.”

All of the money collected from the fines goes toward paying the tow truck drivers.

Parking restrictions are still in effect.

Plows, police and tow trucks will be back out on Wednesday, moving cars from the north-south streets back to the east-west streets.

Officers are encouraging the public to report abandoned vehicles throughout the snow removal process. To file a report, call 208-529-1200.