The ACLU recently released a report regarding how security and surveillance cameras and recordings are beginning to erode at civil liberties. The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California recently launched a statewide campaign to ensure that public debate, oversight, and accountability precede the acquisition of surveillance technologies by law enforcement agencies.

Counties and cities across California have spent in excess of $60 million on invasive surveillance technology, and only five of 90 communities studied held a public debate each time they introduced a new element, according to the ACLU report released Nov. 12.

The ACLU did not specify all communities that were studied.

“The vast majority (of technologies) are being used by law enforcement agencies without any sort of public debate, consideration of costs and benefits, or adequate policies to safeguard against misuse,” the ACLU concluded after researching available data.

Technologies include red-light cameras, automatic license plate readers, deputy-worn body cameras, drones, video surveillance, facial recognition, location tracking, and data mining.

In response, the ACLU has created a report that it says will allow communities to understand the right questions to ask when surveillance technologies are being considered.

“The centerpiece of the report is a model Surveillance & Community Safety Ordinance for communities to adopt that will provide necessary participation, transparency, accountability and oversight,” the ACLU said.

In San Bernardino County, the Sheriff’s Department is contracted to provide services throughout the Victor Valley, and sheriff’s spokeswoman Cindy Bachman said this week that she understood surveillance was “a big deal to a lot of people.”

“All the equipment we have will actually save the county money in legal fees and will overall make this a safer county,” Bachman said.