San Clemente looks to install surveillance cameras along beach

Officials in San Clemente are working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to install beach surveillance cameras intended to monitor for boats that may be carrying undocumented immigrants.

City Manager Andy Hall was charged with arranging for CBP agents to install the cameras along the beach and monitor them 24/7, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The city has said there has been an increase recently of undocumented immigrants arriving late at night and early in the morning on panga boats. The boats usually carry between 15 to 20 people each.

“I like the idea of more surveillance,” Councilmember Rick Loeffler said in a post on the Orange County Register. “North Beach is the first place to get cars in north of the (Border Patrol checkpoint on the 5 Freeway). It’s very obvious why they come here. Maybe we can partner with CBP and have them monitor and respond.”

The cameras would likely be placed on the San Clemente Pier and various other points along the shoreline. 

“I’m recommending the cameras being aimed oceanward with a rotating telescopic lens and thermal imaging for night viewing,” Mayor Steven Knoblock told the L.A. Times. “This additional visibility will hopefully provide interdiction prior to [migrants] hitting our beaches.”