This is the same stupid headline as yesterday. Cars aren't being seized. They are being impounded just as they are for parking at the wrong spot during business hours. You pay the impound yard to get your car out and go on your way a bit wiser.
Seized would indicate their ownership is being transfered to the city for disposal at its discretion.
Seized to me, means the property is transferred out of my posession and into the city's, ans since I have to pay a "ransom" to get it back or it will permanently sold at auction I think seized is the right word.
"Seized would indicate their ownership is being transfered to the city for disposal at its discretion"
That's exactly what should happen, after all the stereo crap is ripped out and destroyed.