Does every other city in America fine people for baggy pants? Or for not having a $10 residency permit to park in front of their own home overnight? Like the article said, this area has around 10% of the total population of Missouri and they colllect over a third of all fines and fees. It's not law enforcement, it's a racket. And as the article also points out, Ferguson is an exception to the rule in North county in that it's city government is white. In most of these places, and in the worst abusers of the laws, the government is black.
Other areas of the city have residency parking permits. I believe that it's fairly common.
Saggy pants? I've heard of a few places that have laws. I think they were instituted to influence gang activity. Not saying that I agree with it but that's the law.
As to the alll White city government; can you imagine the outcry if the residents of a predominantly White city complained that all members of the city gov't and police force were black and couldn't govern fairly?
The city government was voted in by residents, it wasn't appointed by "The Man" to keep the brothers down.