A change in how Jim Thorpe Borough handles vehicles along a snow emergency route that aren’t moved following a storm is up for discussion.

During a borough council workshop Thursday night, Police Chief Joe Schatz asked the governing body to consider wording its ordinance to allow for the towing of vehicles not in compliance with Jim Thorpe’s parking plan after at least 2 inches of snow.

During odd numbered years, the borough plows the odd side of the street first and then puts out a call to residents to move vehicles to the other side. People who don’t move their vehicles receive a ticket, but police are finding that isn’t enough.

“We have situations where people would actually rather just pay the ticket because the spot they are in is close to their house and they don’t want to give it up,” Schatz said. “In the past, we have never towed vehicles from snow routes, but when we have a few cars sitting there in a few feet of snow and the guys can’t plow that, it really disrupts things for the all of the people who are complying.”

Since the borough moved to the odd/even system, the number of tickets issued has gone down, police said.

“We used to be in the hundreds and we do have that down to about six or seven,” Schatz said.

Council said Thursday it plans further discussion on details like how long it would give residents before vehicles are towed.

“We need to be consistent with everything we do and stick to what we do,” Councilman Jay Miller said. “Ticketing is one thing, but removing a car is another so we better be consistent.”

Schatz said some areas of town, such as Broadway, are already posted prohibited parking, which gives police the ability to tow there if it is a problem.

“You can go around town and see some of the spots where it’s an issue,” Schatz said Thursday. “Across from St. Joseph’s church, we tagged a vehicle on the first day of the storm and it was still there yesterday with all that snow sitting there.”

Borough Manager Maureen Sterner said residents are given plenty of notice when to move their cars from one side to another.

“For this most recent storm, I think we called around 2 p.m. telling people to move from the odd to even side, by 4 a.m. the next morning,” she said.

Miller said he also wants residents to stop throwing snow in the street.

“That can cause some real problems,” he said. “Nobody thinks it’s a big deal until a fire engine or ambulance has to get to your home, then they realize.”