The new cameras will be installed along San Clemente Pier and several private homeowner association structures, providing CBP with 24/7 surveillance across approximately seven miles of coastline
San Clemente city officials have announced plans to collaborate with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to install coastal surveillance cameras aimed at detecting boats attempting to bring unauthorised migrants into the United States.
The initiative was approved during a city council meeting on Tuesday, where members directed City Manager Andy Hall to coordinate with CBP for the project. Mayor Steven Knoblock emphasised that the primary goal is to prevent panga boats—small fishing vessels commonly used for smuggling—from landing on the city’s shores.
Surveillance To Cover Seven Miles Of Coastline
The new cameras will be installed along San Clemente Pier and several private homeowner association structures, providing CBP with 24/7 surveillance across approximately seven miles of coastline. The system will include telescopic lenses and thermal imaging, allowing for night-time detection of unauthorised maritime activity.
Initially, Mayor Knoblock had proposed that local volunteers oversee the surveillance, but council members opted instead for direct CBP involvement. The city is also considering making the footage publicly available, similar to its existing San Clemente Beach livestream.
Concerns Over Smuggling & Crime
Knoblock cited growing concerns over panga boat landings and the possibility of criminal activity linked to migrant smuggling.
“People have observed pangas crammed with illegal aliens, hitting our beach, and then scattering in the community or jumping into a van,” he told the Los Angeles Times.
He also pointed to an increase in burglaries by Chilean crime rings, stressing the need for heightened security measures.
The issue of maritime smuggling is well-documented. According to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), panga boats are frequently used to smuggle both people and narcotics along the California coast. Federal agents have previously disrupted several smuggling operations in coordination with local authorities. In 2021, around 90 migrants were apprehended along the shores of Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties, according to the LA Times.
Legal Considerations & Sanctuary State Law
California’s 2017 sanctuary state law prevents local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. However, since San Clemente does not have its own police force, it is legally permitted to collaborate with CBP on the surveillance programme. The city is patrolled by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, which does not enforce federal immigration laws, as reported by The Guardian.
Despite the political debate surrounding the sanctuary state law, city officials insist that the surveillance project is about public safety, not immigration enforcement.
“This additional visibility will hopefully provide interdiction prior to migrants hitting our beaches,” Mayor Knoblock stated.
As discussions continue, San Clemente’s new surveillance efforts highlight the growing challenges border cities face in balancing security concerns with legal and ethical considerations.
