Meter maids in Montreal, Canada on Thursday towed away two marked police cars that had violated the city's snow emergency parking restrictions. The vehicles had parked in front of an empty police speed trap "support station" on Jean-Talon east in the borough of Saint Leonard.

"From our point of view it is a clear illustration of how our priority is snow removal and that no one is above the law," Montreal spokesman Darren Becker told CanWest News Service.

The meter maids also wrote a pair of $106 tickets for the two cars.

Montreal officials boast of their ability to quickly clear key routes to keep important city services functioning during the winter months. Saint Leonard alone employs 340 workers using nearly 200 trucks, plows and other pieces of heavy equipment to get the job done.

"When snow takes us by surprise, a speedy response is necessary," the borough website explains. "Remember that everyone's cooperation is needed in order for snow removal operations to be as efficient as possible."