Volunteer Opportunity: San Diego TRUST Ordinance Research Project

Community Transparency, Public Records, and Surveillance Oversight Initiative

Organization Type: Independent Public Interest Research Initiative

Location: San Diego, California (Primary research focus: Morena, Bay Park, Clairemont, and surrounding communities)

Commitment: Flexible Volunteer Hours

Remote/In-Person: Hybrid

Compensation: Volunteer Position (Letters of Recommendation, Research Experience, and Academic Support Available)

About the Project

The San Diego TRUST Ordinance Research Project is an independent civic research initiative examining issues involving municipal transparency, surveillance oversight, public records compliance, and implementation of the City of San Diego's Transparent and Responsible Use of Surveillance Technology (TRUST) Ordinance.

Our work focuses on promoting accountability, transparency, and informed public discussion regarding surveillance technologies, public-sector data collection practices, aerial monitoring activities, and privacy protections affecting San Diego residents.

The project operates independently of government agencies and political organizations and seeks to contribute objective, evidence-based research to ongoing public conversations surrounding technology governance and civil liberties.

Current Areas of Research

Volunteers will assist with projects involving:

• Public records research and California Public Records Act (CPRA) requests;
• Review of municipal surveillance policies and transparency reports;
• Analysis of publicly available procurement records and contracts;
• Research regarding surveillance governance and oversight structures;
• Examination of publicly available aviation and flight activity data;
• Compilation of timelines from publicly available court filings and government records;
• Review of public meeting agendas, committee reports, and legislative materials;
• Research into the implementation and compliance framework of the San Diego TRUST Ordinance.

The project is currently reviewing several publicly filed matters and community concerns involving surveillance transparency and municipal accountability, including issues raised in:

Reeves v. City of San Diego, et al.

San Diego Superior Court

Case No. 26CU021092C

The inclusion of any case or complaint in our research does not imply wrongdoing by any person or organization. Our purpose is to examine public records, public policies, and oversight mechanisms through objective analysis.

Community Reports Under Review

As part of our broader research effort, volunteers may assist in reviewing public complaints and reports involving:

• allegations concerning crowdsourced data collection systems;
• questions regarding the incentives and governance structures of mobile data collection applications;
• concerns involving privacy, surveillance, and community impacts;
• reports of unusual aerial activity;
• questions regarding the use of surveillance technologies in residential areas; and
• concerns involving public transparency and accountability.

Some residents have reported experiences involving persistent vehicle activity, noise disturbances, or other conduct they believe may be connected to larger monitoring or data collection systems.

These reports remain allegations only and have not been independently verified.

Part of the mission of this project is to determine whether these reports are supported by objective evidence, whether alternative explanations exist, or whether additional transparency is warranted.

Aerial Observation Research

Volunteers may also assist with research involving publicly observable aerial activity and aviation records.

Research topics include:

• publicly available FAA data;
• ADS-B flight information;
• municipal aviation records;
• drone policies and regulations;
• TRUST Ordinance compliance documentation; and
• publicly reported community concerns regarding aerial activity.

Researchers are also collecting information regarding reports of unusual illuminated aerial objects described by some observers as appearing similar to small stationary stars or fixed lights positioned unusually low over residential areas.

These reports remain unverified and are included solely for documentation and independent review purposes.

Community members who have made similar observations are encouraged to document dates, times, locations, photographs, and videos so that objective analysis may be conducted.

Volunteer Responsibilities

Volunteers may assist with:

• Public records research;
• Government transparency projects;
• Legislative and policy analysis;
• Open-source intelligence research (OSINT);
• Data organization and timeline preparation;
• Court record review;
• Report writing and summarization;
• Community outreach efforts;
• Documentation of publicly observable conditions and events.

Ideal Candidates

We welcome volunteers with interests or backgrounds in:

• Public Policy
• Law or Pre-Law Studies
• Journalism
• Documentary Film
• Public Administration
• Political Science
• Civil Rights Advocacy
• Government Accountability
• Urban Studies
• Data Analysis
• Investigative Research
• Community Organizing

Students seeking experience in public interest law, civil rights, government transparency, or policy research are strongly encouraged to apply.

Project Principles

All project participants are expected to:

• rely exclusively on lawful observation and publicly available information;
• avoid speculation and unsupported conclusions;
• respect privacy, recording, and trespassing laws;
• maintain professional neutrality;
• document evidence rather than assumptions; and
• comply with all applicable laws and ethical standards.

Benefits of Participation

Volunteers may receive:

• Experience with public records research and transparency advocacy;
• Exposure to municipal governance and oversight issues;
• Opportunities to contribute to real-world civic research projects;
• Mentorship opportunities for students interested in law or public policy;
• Letters of recommendation for qualified long-term contributors;
• Opportunities for future paid research assignments as projects expand.

How to Apply

Please provide:

• Name
• City or Neighborhood
• Relevant Experience or Education
• Areas of Interest
• Availability
• Brief statement explaining your interest in public accountability, privacy rights, or government transparency.

Public accountability depends upon informed communities, transparent institutions, and evidence-based discussion.

Whether public concerns ultimately prove well-founded or unfounded, independent inquiry and transparent oversight benefit everyone.