Border Patrol Cameras To Be Installed On Idyllic South OC Beach

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — An iconic South Orange County coastline will soon be monitored with border patrol cameras in an effort to crack down on migrant panga boats.

San Clemente's coastline will soon have border patrol cameras installed, after city council members narrowly approved a camera installation on a ridge high above the town.

In a split vote, San Clemente City Council members voted 3-1-1 to enter into a 20-year lease with the Department of Homeland Security that allows for camera installations at a reservoir overlooking town.

The vote passed while dozens of residents raised privacy concerns regarding the cameras during Tuesday's regular city council meeting.

"A lot of comments about police state and privacy — our privacy is not being invaded. None of your privacy is being invaded. None of your liberties are being invaded," Council member Steve Knoblock said during the Jan. 20 council meeting. "If you're an illegal alien and you're caught in this town — anywhere else in this country, hopefully — you're going to be removed because that's the law."

According to San Clemente City Staff, the Department of Homeland Security won't allow city officials to see what federal agents are monitoring on cameras. However, screenshots could occasionally be shared with the city, according to the staff report.

Staff also noted that if illegal immigrants come ashore on a panga boat and enter neighborhoods, Border Patrol agents could start tracking them on cameras.

While the motion passed with Knoblock and a narrow majority of council members voting for the proposal, Council member Mark Enmeier voted against the installation and Council member Zhen Wu abstained from voting.

"The main issue here is civil liberties and community trust," Enmeier said during the meeting. "I personally feel under watch if this camera will be put in place."