It´s a great advantage being obligated to report your current address to the city administration (we´re not reporting to the police). The state always knows where to write letters to you (for taxes, fines for wrong parking, notifications for elections), and it makes sure (combined with the national IS) that there´s no voter fraud, for instance. Everybody can only register in ONE city/town.
My German wife and I were required to go to the police station and register our new apartment with them. Town Hall is just a few blocks away but we were required to go to THE POLICE STATION and register.
In America, only sex offenders are required to register with the police. As for advantages, I never had a problem being contacted by the State in America. I would much rather have true freedom, rather than be treated and watched like a filthy sex offender.