https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCadmin/0-0-0-26202

Section 16-122, paragraph e

“It shall be unlawful for any person, such person's agent or employee, to abandon, or to suffer or permit to be abandoned any motor vehicle, whether or not owned by such person, in any marginal or public street, or any public place.”

Here’s the laws being violated by the person obscuring their plate, though magically the cops weren’t interested in those. Golly gee I wonder why that is.

https://codes.findlaw.com/ny/vehicle-and-traffic-law/vat-sect-402.html