Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - Be careful where you park your vehicle in Rochester this weekend.

Because of the recent snow and the expected weekend storm, the Rochester Police Dept. will be on the lookout for so-called snowbirds.

These are vehicles found parked on city streets after a snow event. Many are covered in snow and some are nearly buried by passing snow plows.

RPD Capt. Casey Moilanen says officers plan to be proactive this weekend in an effort to clear the streets so they can be plowed curb-to-curb. A city ordinance limits on-street parking to 12 hours and enforcement is usually complaint driven. But Moilanen says there has been a surge in complaints this month, likely the result of the record snow. During the first three weeks of February last year, there were 281 snow-related parking complaints. During the same period this year, the number has more than tripled to 923.

Moilanen says officers will initially tag a vehicle this weekend if it’s in violation of the parking ordinance. If the vehicle is still there four hours later, it will be ticketed. After that, it may be towed.

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