Growing Flock

GROWING FLOCK… Driving around town in Squid’s jalopy, Squid does Squid’s best to keep eyes on the road and also potential newsy events happening around Squid. That includes hundreds of automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras placed by various agencies around Monterey County.

Squid is not surprised to see ALPRs these days, but Squid was surprised to learn that state law was broken by Flock Safety in 2025 when the company shared the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office data with numerous states across the country. (When Squid’s colleague raised the issue with Sheriff , she seemed surprised as well.) After this revelation, Squid was again surprised to hear that the Sheriff’s Office is now seeking to expand its network of cameras from 60 to 200.

On April 7, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors held a budget workshop, where Squid listened to Undersheriff Keith Boyd explain that instead of punishing Flock Safety for breaking the law, the Sheriff’s Office wants to reward the company by using $420,000 in Measure AA funding to buy an additional 140 cameras to be placed in the unincorporated areas of the county.

Squid understands the 1-percent sales tax is intended partly for “enhanced public safety,” but it seems questionable that 140 additional ALPR cameras make Squid or anyone else more safe. Squid is more familiar with the laws of nature than human laws, but still finds it odd for a law enforcement agency to propose rewarding an entity that has broken the law.

SNAIL MAIL… Squid’s ever-replenishing supply of ink makes Squid an excellent pen pal, in Squid’s not-so-humble opinion. Since Squid received a note from the U.S. Postal Service announcing that April is National Card and Letter Writing Month, Squid decided it was time to write to the Postmaster General David Steiner.

“Dear David: Squid appreciates getting mail and packages delivered to the lair daily. You’re the greatest,” Squid wrote. “Sincerely, the cephalopods of the sea really do appreciate this service – although can you please stop including the solicitations for new credit cards? Also, the free SPCA Monterey County calendars – which were conspicuously lacking ocean dwellers yet again this year, and besides, who uses a calendar anymore anyway? Squid doesn’t really care what day it is – only if the currents are upwelling more food.

“Anyway, Squid hopes you are well and is sorry that President Donald Trump has suggested disbanding the USPS Board of Governors and eliminating 10,000 postal worker jobs. He’s clearly one lost package.”

Squid has not yet received a response, but will keep checking the mailbox for a new pen pal.