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Extraído del Informe Consolidado
Esta investigación fue publicada originalmente como parte de un informe consolidado más amplio que contiene múltiples investigaciones. Consulte el PDF consolidado para ver el documento completo.
Santa Cruz County Grand Jury
• 2023-2024
Surveillance State in Santa Cruz County Who surveils those who surveil us?
⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 8 findings
F1
The Sheriff’s Office documenting minimal use of Amazon Ring, and informing the public of use specifically to assist with the investigation of significant crimes, assures the public this tool is not in constant use or frequently surveilling specific neighborhoods.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
As Ring installations become more widespread, the Sheriff’s Office should include statistics on Amazon Ring Neighbors Portal usage in its annual report to the public by March 30, 2024. (F1)
F2
The Sheriff’s Office indicating no use of automated license plate readers updates the public with current information consistent with findings from the 2021 Criminal Justice Council Report.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
The Sheriff’s Office should consider using its 2024 annual Military Equipment Inventory public meeting as its forum to inform the public of intent to acquire or use any Automated License Plate Reader equipment. (F2)
R7
The Sheriff’s Office should consider regular public reporting on the intended acquisition and ongoing use of surveillance technologies not already publicly reported as required under state or county law. The Sheriff’s Office should consider using portions of the Military Equipment Inventory as a template for providing the public with pertinent information on any surveillance equipment proposed, or acquired through federal grants, or other funding rather than creating yet another reporting format by December 31, 2023. (F2, F4)
F3
Conflicting information on records retention within Policy 423 (Body Worn Cameras), as well as between Policies 422 (Portable Audio/Video Recorders) and 423, creates confusion and doubt for the public, and may present lack of certainty on proper records retention and disposal for Sheriff’s Office personnel.
Related Recommendations (2)
R3
The Sheriff’s Office Policy Manual should review and propose potential revisions specific to confusing language in Policies 422 (Portable Audio/Video Recorders) and 423 (Body Worn Cameras) by December 31, 2023. (F3)
R6
Where possible, the Sheriff’s Office should publicly provide information on retention and specify disposal dates for all surveillance technologies non-evidentiary data by December 31, 2023. (F3, F4, F5, F7)
F4
The Sheriff’s Office’s lack of documentation specific to the Cellebrite Mobile Device Forensics Tool leaves the public without critical information on how this tool will be used, and more importantly, when it will not be used.
Related Recommendations (3)
R4
The Sheriff’s Office should inform the public on whether Mobile Device Forensic Tools are used for consent searches specifically, and define and announce disposal dates for non-evidentiary data by December 31, 2023. (F4)
R6
Where possible, the Sheriff’s Office should publicly provide information on retention and specify disposal dates for all surveillance technologies non-evidentiary data by December 31, 2023. (F3, F4, F5, F7)
R7
The Sheriff’s Office should consider regular public reporting on the intended acquisition and ongoing use of surveillance technologies not already publicly reported as required under state or county law. The Sheriff’s Office should consider using portions of the Military Equipment Inventory as a template for providing the public with pertinent information on any surveillance equipment proposed, or acquired through federal grants, or other funding rather than creating yet another reporting format by December 31, 2023. (F2, F4)
F5
The Sheriff’s Office first annual Military Equipment Inventory for the surveillance tools reviewed by the Grand Jury lacks details such as impact cost and specific linkages to Sheriff’s Office policy as required under California AB-481. This lack of detail leaves the public without clarity on aspects of cost and accountability measures.
Related Recommendations (2)
R6
Where possible, the Sheriff’s Office should publicly provide information on retention and specify disposal dates for all surveillance technologies non-evidentiary data by December 31, 2023. (F3, F4, F5, F7)
R8
The Sheriff’s Office should review its Military Equipment Inventory to ensure compliance with AB-481. Where documentation is missing, the Sheriff’s Office should draft clarifying text either to share with the public for review, or for inclusion in the annual update by May 31, 2024. (F5)
F6
The ability to register video surveillance on a web page created specifically for security alarm registration within Santa Cruz County may be confusing to the registered subscribers, as well as those considering adding security services to their home or business.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The Sheriff’s Office may wish to recommend to the County Administration Office that clarifying language be added to the False Alarm and Administration online registration. (F6)
F7
The Sheriff’s Office of Corrections’ lack of clear documentation specific to inmate tablet use leaves the public without critical information on how the information collected is used, how this information is retained, and more importantly, when disposal occurs for non-evidentiary records.
Related Recommendations (2)
R6
Where possible, the Sheriff’s Office should publicly provide information on retention and specify disposal dates for all surveillance technologies non-evidentiary data by December 31, 2023. (F3, F4, F5, F7)
R9
The Sheriff’s Office of Corrections should consider a documented process for handling the inadvertent recording of privileged communications, including inmate tablet use by September 30, 2023. (F7, F8) Commendation C1. The Sheriff’s Office Annual Report is easy to read, well organized, and provides useful information to the public. This publication offers thoughtful views of equipment, events, and Sheriff’s Office personnel.
F8
The Sheriff’s Office of Corrections’ lack of a documented process for handling inadvertent recording of privileged communications (e.g., communications by an inmate to legal counsel), is a concern since a breach of confidentiality could expose the County to costly legal liability.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
The Sheriff’s Office of Corrections should consider a documented process for handling the inadvertent recording of privileged communications, including inmate tablet use by September 30, 2023. (F7, F8) Commendation C1. The Sheriff’s Office Annual Report is easy to read, well organized, and provides useful information to the public. This publication offers thoughtful views of equipment, events, and Sheriff’s Office personnel.
Commendations 1
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CM1 Page 13C1. The Sheriff’s Office Annual Report is easy to read, well organized, and provides useful information to the public. This publication offers thoughtful views of equipment, events, and Sheriff’s Office personnel.
No Responses Found 3
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Santa Cruz County
County
Santa Cruz County Public Defender
Elected County Office
Santa Cruz County Sheriff
Elected County Office