This document is a report from the Santa Clara County Sheriff regarding a Surveillance Use Policy for a Launcher-Based GPS Vehicle Tracking System. It outlines recommended actions for the Board of Supervisors to consider, including adopting findings that the benefits of the technology outweigh its costs, approving the policy, and authorizing the acquisition of the system. The report states that there is no fiscal impact associated with these actions, as funding was previously approved. It emphasizes the importance of balancing civil liberties with public safety and notes positive impacts on children and seniors. The document also mentions the need for audits and yearly reports to ensure privacy and civil rights are maintained.
Key points
Report from the Santa Clara County Sheriff regarding a Surveillance Use Policy for a Launcher-Based GPS Vehicle Tracking System.
Recommended actions include adopting findings on benefits vs. costs, approving the policy, and authorizing acquisition.
No fiscal impact associated with the approval of recommended actions.
Funding for the system was previously approved by the Board of Supervisors.
The policy has been reviewed by relevant offices and eliminates vendor references.
The technology aims to enhance public safety and mitigate risks associated with vehicle pursuits.
Positive impacts on children and seniors are noted.
Frequent audits and yearly reports will be conducted to ensure privacy and civil rights are upheld.
Generated for convenience from extracted text using AI. Review the official source document before relying on this summary.
Extracted text preview · 3,940 chars
County of Santa Clara Office of the Sheriff 128171 DATE: June 23, 2026 TO: Board of Supervisors FROM: Robert Jonsen, Sheriff SUBJECT: Surveillance Use Policy (Launcher-Based GPS Vehicle Tracking System) RECOMMENDED ACTION Consider recommendations relating to the Launcher-Based GPS Vehicle Tracking System. Possible action: a. Adopt finding that the benefits of the surveillance technology outweigh the costs pursuant to Section A40-4 of the Santa Clara County Ordinance Code. b. Approve Surveillance Use Policy for Office of the Sheriff Launcher-Based GPS Vehicle Tracking System, that has been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form and legality. c. Approve acquisition of the Launcher-Based GPS Vehicle Tracking System by the Office of the Sheriff. FISCAL IMPLICATIONS There is no fiscal impact associated with the approval of the recommended actions. Funding to support the Sheriff Vehicle Mounted and Handheld Launcher System was previously approved by the Board of Supervisors during the Fiscal Year 2024–2025 Mid-Year Adjustment process on February 25, 2025 and was subsequently carried over into the current fiscal year as part of the year-end rollover process on September 16,...
02
322 KB
Office of the Sheriff - Launcher-Based Global Positioning System (April 2026)
The document outlines the Surveillance Use Policy for the Launcher-Based Global Positioning System (GPS) Vehicle Tracking System used by the Office of the Sheriff in Santa Clara County. The system aims to provide a safer alternative to vehicle pursuits by allowing deputies to track vehicles involved in criminal activity. It includes a vehicle-mounted or handheld launcher that emits a GPS tag, which transmits real-time location data. The policy specifies authorized and prohibited uses, data collection and storage practices, data access protocols, data protection measures, data retention policies, public access limitations, third-party data sharing guidelines, training requirements, and oversight responsibilities. The document emphasizes compliance with the Fourth Amendment and outlines the consequences for policy violations.
Key points
The Vehicle Tracking System is designed to mitigate risks associated with high-risk vehicle incidents.
The system allows for real-time tracking of vehicles using a GPS-enabled tag.
Authorized uses include tracking vehicles involved in criminal activity and public safety missions.
Prohibited uses include harassment, targeting based on individual characteristics, and personal use.
Data collected includes location, speed, time, and battery life, and is retained for up to one year.
Public access to data is restricted, and requests for data are handled in compliance with the law.
Data may be shared with law enforcement agencies and legal entities under specific conditions.
Training is required for personnel accessing the Vehicle Tracking System.
A coordinator will oversee compliance with the policy and conduct audits.
Generated for convenience from extracted text using AI. Review the official source document before relying on this summary.
Extracted text preview · 13,111 chars
County of Santa Clara Office of the Sheriff Surveillance Use Policy Launcher-Based Global Positioning System Vehicle Tracking System 1. Purpose The Launcher-Based Global Positioning System (GPS) Vehicle Tracking System (“Vehicle Tracking System”) is used by the Office of the Sheriff as a safe and effective alternative to vehicle pursuits. The purpose of the Vehicle Tracking System is to mitigate the risks associated with high-risk vehicle incidents such as vehicle pursuits, and to prevent unnecessary injury, property damage, and/or loss of life. The Vehicle Tracking System allows Office of the Sheriff deputies to track a vehicle without the need to engage in a vehicle pursuit which may be dangerous to the occupants of the vehicle, the deputies, and members of the public. The Vehicle Tracking System is composed of a vehicle-mounted or handheld launcher that emits a GPS-enabled tag with an adhesive that sticks to a vehicle. The tag’s internal GPS antenna and internet modem emits a signal with real-time location data so that authorized staff can remotely track a vehicle with an adhered GPS tag. The tag transmits four data elements via the modem and antenna: location (latitude and...