Here a ton of cars don't have front plates. My guess would be at least 10%. A lot are either super high end luxury cars like bentleys or s classes or super cars/exotics. When you see an "enthisuast" they almost always have one. My guess is to not invite a cop too pull them over.
You can do it provided you never park on the street. But I do when I go out to the bars. And if there are meters they will ticket you. Also if you get pulled over they will check and ticket. I got several in my old car and just got fed up worrying. But I'm like you. The beeps are too much. I would either not run one and test my luck or drill. I think the ticket here is $50. The bracket was less than $100. And I don't cringe when I walk up to my car looking for a ticket. And honestly I like the look of the tow hook plate