A Florida grandmother has expressed her dismay after receiving a new license plate that features a combination of letters and numbers some consider highly suggestive. Nancy Dello Stritto, a 76-year-old resident of Pompano Beach, was surprised to find the plate "SQZ A55" among her mail on July 15.
Dello Stritto stated that she was shocked by the plate's message and questioned how it passed the state's approval process. "I went ballistic. I said, 'How could that pass inspection?'" she was quoted as saying. She initially intended to return the plate, feeling it was inappropriate for her age and her identity as a senior citizen.
However, her family and friends found humor in the situation and encouraged her to keep it, with the tally reportedly 16 to one in favor of retaining the plate. Her retirement community has also reportedly buzzed with delight over the unexpected delivery, which has become a source of amusement and conversation.
The origin of how the plate was issued remains unclear. License plates in Florida have been manufactured at a state prison in North Florida for nearly a century. The plate assigned to Dello Stritto was mailed from the Broward County Property Tax Collector's office.
Officials have stated that plates deemed offensive can be replaced free of charge if they are considered inappropriate. Dello Stritto plans to inform the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles about the plate. For now, she appears to have come to terms with the unusual license plate, joking that she might even enjoy the attention.
