In 2005, the city of Fresno, California seized 28,000 vehicles generating $5 million in fees. Of the cars seized, Fresno ended up keeping 10,000 of them because motorists could not afford to pay the recovery fees. More than a quarter of Fresno's half-million residents live below the poverty line according to census data.

"We've had clients who, as a result of losing their car, have lost their job," attorney Chris Schneider told KSFN-TV. "And once they lose their car they get behind on their rent, get evicted. We've had people become homeless because of losing their car."

Each car towed generates between $200 and $1000 for the city and the towing company.