In January, the Orange County beach town became the second inland location for Customs and Border Patrol’s (CBP) march up the California coast with Anduril surveillance towers. The City Council approved a lease with the Border Patrol for land on a ridge above the town for the huge tower, ostensibly for the purpose of watching the sea for incoming migrant boats, and for the whopping fee of $10. In total. While the City Council does not yet seem to have seller’s remorse, much of the town does (the tower has not yet been deployed) and a town hall meeting was held to discuss the matter. Oakland Privacy’s research director Mike Katz-Lacabe was happy to provide his expertise to the community about the equipment and its technical capabilities. Anduril Industries is Palmer Luckey’s military defense outfit and has been the primary contractor for the so-called “digital border wall” which is now creeping further and further away from the US-Mexico border.
We’re happy to bring you video of the town hall event, a copy of Mike’s presentation, and some other resources on Anduril’s northward creep.
City Council Staff Report on Border Patrol Lease
Advocates PowerPoint in Opposition to Tower Lease
San Clemente Times Coverage of Town Hall Meeting
Video of Town Hall Meeting