Recently, there has been an increase in the number of migrants landing on the Southern California coast via fishing boats. A coastal city is now considering installing a coastal surveillance system and may allow the public to monitor the beach at night.
The small coastal town of San Clemente, located between Los Angeles and San Diego, with a population of about 62,000, had its city council unanimously decide on February 4th to inquire with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about the possibility of collaborating to install a coastal surveillance system. Mayor Steven Knoblock, following discussions with city council members on this proposal, requested City Manager Andy Hall to reach out to federal agencies.
While the number of land border crossings has decreased since President Trump took office, the number of smuggling boats on the coast of San Clemente, located north of the federal border checkpoint on Interstate 5, has seen an increase.
Knoblock mentioned that these smuggling boats are typically unauthorized Panga small boats – small, outboard-motor fishing boats often used for fishing – which are often abandoned after migrants scatter into the community. He stated, “More and more people are coming in Pangas, and I think it’s important to identify them. This is a public safety issue.”
City Manager Hall noted that Imperial Beach in San Diego had a similar monitoring project while he was in charge of the city. He mentioned that during his tenure, a Panga boat capsized, leading to the drowning of 15 passengers in waist-deep water.
Knoblock proposed installing three thermal imaging cameras at the city pier and at neighboring locations to the north and south. He also hoped that the public would have access to real-time cameras after lifeguards finish their shifts. He said, “I think providing this opportunity for our community to monitor their backyard would be a good thing.”
Councilman Zhen Wu stated that the city does not have enough funds to purchase these cameras but supported the idea. Wu mentioned that if the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) provided funding or if the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) were willing to install cameras on city property, he would be open to it.
The council also voted to publish contact numbers on the city website for residents to alert federal agencies when smuggling boats arrive. Some residents expressed concerns about opening up real-time camera footage to the public, but the mayor emphasized that the plan would operate similar to neighborhood patrols.
Officials reported that about an hour’s drive from San Diego County along the coast, several smuggling boats have landed on local beaches in the past year, bringing migrants ashore. On January 25th, a boat carrying migrants capsized near a beach in San Diego, with approximately 20 people falling into the sea, prompting lifeguards and surfers to swiftly conduct a rescue operation.
Currently, the Border Patrol has not responded to the city’s plan.