Real-Time Cell Phone Tracking Tech for Police Gets $1.2 Million Nod From City Council

The City Council has greenlit a $1,281,614 contract with Tactical Support Equipment for the acquisition of a cell site simulator, a device that enables police to track cell phones in real time. 

The simulator, also known as a Stingray or IMSI catcher, impersonates a cell tower, compelling all nearby cell phones on the same network to share information with it. This technology allows police to locate and monitor cell phones with more precision than telecommunication companies.

The vote comes amid growing concerns about the privacy implications of these devices, as they operate by conducting a general search of all cell phones within the device’s radius, potentially violating basic constitutional protections.

Over the past several years, local activists have railed against technology that tracks gunshots and automatic license plate readers.

Ahead of Monday’s meeting, some local residents continued to express privacy concerns.

“I oppose the City’s purchase of the cellular site simulator for the Pasadena Police Department. The cellular site simulator devices are an invasion of privacy,” said Margaret Starbuck, who lives in District 5.

The police department made updates to the policy hours before the item was presented to the City Council to address some privacy concerns that arose after questions from Councilmember Jess Rivas. 

The device uses cellular technology to provide the geo-location of a cellular device. 

Police must get the necessary court order before the technology can be used to stay compliant with the Fourth Amendment.

The system does not allow investigators to access, read, and/or listen to any communication, data, text messages, emails, etc. from the target’s cellular communication device.  

According to the Pasadena Police Department, the device would only be used when legally authorized and allowed, and search warrants are required, which a judge has to approve and sign.

Once connected, a CSS can intercept and collect data from the phone, including location data and potentially identifying information. 

Police use the devices to locate suspects when they already know their phone’s identifying information or to scoop up data on anyone in a specific area. 

The device is typically installed in a vehicle. Once the cell phone is tracked to a general location, a handheld device is used to track the cell phone to a specific room or person. 

The funding for the cellular site simulator has reportedly been identified through asset forfeiture and not from the City’s General Fund. 

Asset forfeiture is a legal process by which law enforcement agencies take assets from people involved with crime or illegal activity while ensuring that due process rights of all property owners are protected.

Although activists have expressed concerns about the technology, it only pinpoints the target’s handset and not any other device.