Protect San Clemente from Unnecessary Federal Surveillance

As a resident of San Clemente, I strongly oppose the proposed lease allowing a federally controlled surveillance system on city-owned property. Under this plan, the system would be owned, operated, and maintained solely by the federal government, with no city oversight, access, or safeguards to protect our neighborhoods and public spaces.

Local residents deserve transparency and accountability. Placing such equipment on city land without oversight undermines local governance, privacy, and public trust. There is no mechanism to ensure that residential areas or lawful community activity will not be monitored.

I urge the City Council to discontinue coordination with federal agencies for this surveillance system and, at minimum, solicit resident input before any agreement moves forward. San Clemente should be a city that values local control, transparency, and civil liberties, not a testing ground for federal systems without accountability.

Our community can prioritize public safety without surrendering oversight or our right to privacy. Let’s protect our beach city and the values we hold dear.

—Donna Vidrine, San Clemente Resident