Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: John L. Maltbie, County Manager
Subject: Board of Supervisors' Response to the 2016-2017 Civil Grand Jury Report, "A Delicate Balance: Privacy vs. Protection"
RECOMMENDATION:
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Approve the Board of Supervisors' Response to the 2016-2017 Civil Grand Jury Report, "A Delicate Balance: Privacy vs. Protection."
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BACKGROUND:
On July 12, 2017, the 2016-2017 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury issued a report titled "A Delicate Balance: Privacy vs. Protection." Recommendations Follow-Up." The Board of Supervisors is required to submit comments on the findings and recommendations pertaining to the matters over which it has some decision making authority within 90 days. The Board's response to the report is due to the Honorable Leland Davis, III no later than October 24, 2017.
DISCUSSION:
The Grand Jury made five findings and three recommendations in its report. Each finding and recommendation, along with County staff's recommended response, is set forth below:
FINDINGS
Finding 1:
The County of Santa Clara passed an ordinance in 2016 requiring agencies to adopt policies related to any surveillance technology before such technology is acquired or activated. The ordinance also requires agencies to issue annual reports explaining how the technologies are used and what they discovered.
Response:
The information necessary to either agree or disagree with this finding is not contained within the County Manager and Sheriff's Office's files.
Finding 2:
The County and cities in San Mateo County have not enacted any ordinances governing their acquisition and use of surveillance technology, or the accessibility, management, or retention of the information acquired.
Response:
The information necessary to either agree or disagree with this finding is not contained wi...
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