License Plate Readers Deployed by Border Patrol Across San Diego County

A comprehensive surveillance system is actively monitoring drivers on a road stretching from San Diego to the Arizona border.

CalMatters has reported the discovery of numerous cameras concealed within trailers and construction barrels along the border roads.

This covert operation commenced after California issued permits to the Border Patrol and other federal entities, authorizing the installation of license plate readers on state highways during the final months of the Biden administration.

Currently, around 40 of these devices are channeling data into databases established during the Trump administration, as the state, under Democratic leadership, contends with federal deportation initiatives.

The surveillance equipment has been located on Old Highway 80 near Jacumba Hot Springs, near the Golden Acorn Casino in Campo, and along Interstate 8 heading toward In-Ko-Pah Gorge.

Privacy experts are sounding the alarming, telling CalMatters that California should not be supporting a data-collection program they view as unwarranted government overreach. They argue the program is in conflict with state law.

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However, supporters of the devices say they allow law enforcement to quickly identify and locate suspects of serious crimes and locate missing persons.

“If you’re not doing anything illegal, why worry about it?” long-time Jacumba resident Allen Stanks told CalMatters.   

“Everyone is talking about privacy, OK. Stop putting everything on Facebook. ‘Here’s a picture of my food.’ Who cares?” said Stanks.  

There’s little information about these license plate readers from Border Patrol, with a small mention about the technology on its website. In 2020, the Department of Homeland Security issued a report that describes the technology in general, but doesn’t specify where it’s being used.

There are ongoing efforts to have the network shut down. The Electronic Frontier Foundation and a coalition of 30 organizations sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom earlier this month urging the state permits be revoked and the covert readers removed.