SC Surveillance Proposal Sparks Privacy, Oversight Concerns | Eye on SC
SC Surveillance Proposal Sparks Privacy, Oversight Concerns | Eye on SC
Publish Date: 2026-05-07 03:00:00
Source Domain: www.picketfencemedia.com
A proposed federal surveillance tower overlooking San Clemente is drawing growing concern from residents and officials, who say the project raises unresolved questions about privacy, oversight and whether the system is suited for its stated purpose.
During a recent public forum, San Clemente Councilmember Mark Enmeier walked attendees through the agreement between the city and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, outlining what he described as a significant loss of local control.
“The system being proposed would be owned, operated, maintained and controlled solely by the federal government,” Enmeier said, noting there would be no shared access for city staff or local law enforcement.
The City Council approved the agreement earlier this year in a 3-1-1 vote, with Enmeier voting no and Zhen Wu abstaining. Under the contract, CBP would install a relocatable surveillance tower at the Reservoir 5 communications site on Avenida Salvador, one of the city’s highest elevation points, for an initial five-year term, with up to three additional five-year renewals — potentially keeping the system in place for 20 years.
In return, the federal government would pay a one-time fee of $10. Under the approved agreement, CBP would establish its own electrical utility connection and pay all related costs over the life of the agreement.
That amount drew criticism during the meeting, where speakers noted that other jurisdictions have received significantly higher compensation for similar installations.
As part of the forum, Enmeier invited technical speakers to present on the capabilities of surveillance systems, including Mike Katz-Lacabe, who said he has spent decades studying surveillance systems used by law enforcement.
Katz-Lacabe said agreements in other areas have included monthly payments — around $750 per month in some locations and more than…
