By Arturo Castañares
Editor-at-Large
A secret committee of local fire and police chiefs postponed its December meeting just minutes before it was to start after La Prensa San Diego filed a lawsuit claiming the group’s meetings violate state open meeting laws.
The group, called the Urban Area Working Group (UAWG), is the “Approving Authority” recognized by the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to distribute funding to local law enforcement and fire agencies to prepare for and respond to terrorist threats.
UAWG is a permanent subcommittee of the Unified San Diego County Emergency Services Organization (USDCESO), a local Joint Powers Authority (JPA) agency comprised of the County Office of Emergency Services (OES) and representatives from each of the 18 cities in the region, including local fire and police chiefs.
Council Unknowingly OK’d Surveillance Gear for Secretive Police Group
As one of its final acts in 2020, the outgoing San Diego City Council gave city employees permission to buy cell-phone hacking technology as well as drones and rapid response vehicles without realizing it.
Illustration by Adriana Heldiz
As one of its final acts in 2020, the outgoing San Diego City Council gave city employees permission to buy cell-phone hacking technology as well as drones and rapid response vehicles without realizing it.
On Dec. 8, Council members unanimously agreed to apply for and accept $16.9 million worth of federal anti-terrorism grants. The item was placed on the consent agenda, without any additional information about how the money would be spent. None of the officials asked.