Many communities have laws requiring license plates on vehicles simply because if they do not some people would allow their properties to look like a junk yard.

Seizing assets to pay for fines or taxes owed is reasonable, but in this case, the disparity between the asset seized and the minicule fine owed is not reasonable at all. They could seize the vehicle, garnish his disability/social security check or tax returns whatever. Making him homeless for a paltry $2600 is excessive in the extreme. Where is Jesse Jackson & Al Sharpton when you actually need them?
Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
poor Pete must be white