- February 24, 2026
Dear Editor:
Is there a tracking device on my car?
Well, probably not. But, law enforcement with the prolific Flock Safety Camera System doesn’t need to put a tracking device on your car. You put one there yourself: your license plate.
Here is how it works. Each and every time you drive by any one of the hundred of Flock cameras, the date, time and location of your passage is recorded and stored in a database. Florida currently has no law on how long that information can be kept by police.
It then is quite simple for someone in law enforcement to enter in your license plate into the system and produce a complete history of where you’ve been and when you were there. No reasonable suspicion, probable cause or warrant required.
Unlike the old school traffic cameras that are used by police to search for a vehicle, this captures and records everyone.
Like most new technology, the laws regulating it are trying to catch up and vary widely across the country.
Granted, there certainly are a lot of valuable law enforcement benefits, but at what cost to your protection from unwarranted search and seizure?
I fortunately live in Ormond and enjoy the protections and service of an absolutely quality police force, but that’s what you get in Ormond. It's simply a nicer place to live.
I believe we all should exercise a degree of caution over these rapidly expanding technologies.
P.S. AI had nothing whatsoever to do with the editorial. Maybe.
SJ Driscoll
Ormond Beach
Dear Editor:
Nevada/Las Vegas has been recycling wastewater since 1956. Initially, the water was used for irrigation and industrial uses, but it wasn’t long before it was sent back to the Colorado River and, eventually, directly into the water supply.
Orange County, Califronia has recently achieved the same result with the reclaimed water being pumped back into the well field from which the city draws its water. I believe that any new building project in Arizona has to go the reclaimed water route.
For the ultimate in reclaimed water use, consider the Space Station.
Richard Moore
Ormond Beach
Dear Editor:
The Florida Senate has taken a responsible step forward by unanimously passing Senate Bill 840 (38-0) to correct the unintended consequences of last year’s Senate Bill 180. While SB 180 was well-intentioned to speed hurricane rebuilding and prevent overly restrictive moratoriums, its broad implementation created uncertainty and challenges for local governments and property owners in our communities.
SB 840 brings needed balance: It narrows the affected radius from 100 to 50 miles from a hurricane’s track, limits application to federally declared disaster areas, protects critical infrastructure such as:
These refinements promote clarity, protect essential recovery efforts, and preserve appropriate local authority where it does not impede rebuilding.
I commend our senators for listening to widespread concerns, including from local leaders and residents impacted by recent storms.
Now, it is imperative that the Florida House of Representatives act swiftly on the companion bill (House Bill 1465) before the session ends in 3 weeks
Our communities deserve this fix to ensure responsible, efficient recovery without unnecessary overreach.
Your voice matters — please contact your House Representative today and urge support for this essential legislation.
Together, we can protect Florida’s future.
David Sosa
Deltona
Editor's note: David Sosa is a former Deltona City Commissioner. He represented District 6.
Dear Editor:
Recently, an article celebrated the success of House Bill 837 at reducing insurance rates as a result of tort reform. There is a very simple method to reduce insurance rates, bigly.
That method is to require the State Attorney's to prosecute perjury in civil litigation. It rarely, if ever, happens. I wonder why?
Matt Nellans
Ormond Beach
