Fairly strict...only a matter of time for those running without a front plate.
Same here pretty much on Long Island. If you go to a car hang out on a Friday or Saturday night and things start getting rowdy, first thing cops due is a walk- around the lot and give tickets for expired inspections and no front plates. Plus if your moving it just gives them an excuse to pull you over.
I just said screw it (literally) and put them both on and forgot about it. Personally, I don't think it looks
that bad with the plate on there. I was brought up seeing them on every car in NY so it looks normal to me. Plus the stock bumper has two divots where the screws go anyway and really isn't pure smooth. Just my .02