San Clemente’s City Council just handed over local sovereignty to federal surveillance with zero oversight, approving a Border Patrol camera system that could watch residents for up to 20 years without any privacy protections or local control.
Federal Surveillance Without Local Control Approved
San Clemente’s City Council voted 3-1-1 on January 20, 2026, to lease hilltop land near Avenida Salvador Road to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for installing advanced surveillance cameras aimed at detecting panga boats. The agreement grants CBP complete operational control with no local access to camera feeds, even when surveillance potentially scans residential neighborhoods during pursuit operations. Councilmember Mark Enmeier cast the sole dissenting vote, warning residents are surrendering civil liberties without verification or oversight mechanisms. The city receives a mere $10 one-time fee while CBP covers installation and utilities for a lease spanning five years initially, expandable to 20 years.
Public Safety Claims Versus Privacy Reality
Proponents led by Mayor Pro Tem Steve Knoblock justified the cameras by citing 18 panga boat landings in San Clemente during 2025, claiming this represented over half of all such incidents in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Knoblock emphasized the cameras’ capabilities, stating they can detect someone smiling on Catalina Island and pierce fog at night. However, city officials acknowledged no statistically significant increase in landings compared to 2024, raising questions about urgency. The thermal imaging technology represents powerful surveillance tools capable of long-range detection, yet the agreement contains no contractual privacy protections despite city assurances to avoid residential areas.
Constitutional Concerns and Federal Overreach
The arrangement exemplifies troubling federal encroachment on local governance, with CBP wielding complete authority while San Clemente operates as a junior partner with minimal influence. Dozens of residents packed the council meeting, voicing opposition over Big Brother surveillance and potential racial profiling, yet their concerns were overruled by the council majority. Alternative proposals for locally controlled cameras operated by sheriff or fire authorities were dismissed in favor of the federal partnership. This marks the first Orange County city to host CBP coastal surveillance, potentially setting a dangerous precedent for other communities to surrender local control. The council also explores adding cameras to the city’s iconic pier, expanding federal surveillance reach further.
Divided Council Prioritizes Federal Enforcement
The council split revealed fundamental disagreements over liberty versus security. Mayor Rick Loeffler and Councilmember Victor Cabral supported the measure, framing it as necessary deterrence aligned with President Trump’s immigration enforcement priorities. Councilmember Zhen Wu abstained, citing concerns over the unequal partnership favoring federal interests. Enmeier stood alone in opposition, advocating for local alternatives that would maintain community oversight and constitutional protections. Residents including Robyn Seymour and Chelsea Sanchez testified against what they characterized as police state tactics, fearing tourism impacts and erosion of the town’s character as “Spanish Village by the Sea.”
Installation could begin immediately as the city manager finalizes lease details, cementing a 20-year federal presence with surveillance capabilities extending miles offshore and potentially inland. The decision reflects broader tensions between border security and individual liberty, with San Clemente residents now subject to monitoring systems they cannot access, control, or hold accountable. This arrangement prioritizes federal convenience over constitutional safeguards that protect Americans from unwarranted surveillance, trading away privacy protections for minimal security benefits that existing data fails to justify based on landing trends.
Sources:
San Clemente approves high-powered Border Patrol camera to monitor panga boats on coast – ABC7
San Clemente Border Patrol Agreement Coastal Surveillance Cameras – LAist
San Clemente CBP Maritime Surveillance – Los Angeles Times