Checkpoint Monitoring
How to safely observe and document activity at known checkpoints.
Checkpoint Monitoring
Monitoring immigration or police checkpoints is high-stakes solidarity work. Your goal is to witness without escalating, and to document clearly, calmly, and safely.
Warning
⚠️ Checkpoint monitoring can expose you to legal or physical risk. Know your rights, operate with a team, and be ready to disengage if conditions become unsafe.
Rabbit Hole
📍 In 2023, checkpoint footage in Arizona exposed racial profiling—leading to a civil rights lawsuit. Documentation matters.
What Is a Checkpoint?
Checkpoints are locations where law enforcement or immigration agents stop vehicles or pedestrians to ask questions, check documentation, or search for violations.
Types include:
- Border Patrol highway checkpoints
- Police DUI or license checkpoints
- Joint Task Force stops (e.g., ICE + local police)
Know Before You Go
Info
📍 Laws vary by state—confirm local recording and observer rules before monitoring.
| Action | Legal? (US) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Recording from public space | ✅ Legal | Avoid interfering |
| Crossing checkpoint lines | ❌ Not allowed | Monitor from safe distance |
| Asking detainees questions | ⚠️ Risky | Only if they approach you |
| Posting live video | ⚠️ Avoid | Post after leaving site |
Warning
🚫 Some states restrict recording within a certain distance of police. Know local ordinances.
Useful Phrases (Bilingual)
English
- “I’m a legal observer on public property.”
- “I’m not interfering. I’m documenting what I see.”
Español
- “Estoy observando como testigo legal. Estoy en propiedad pública.”
- “No voy a interferir, pero tengo derecho a grabar.”
What You’ll Need
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Phone or camera | Video/photo documentation |
| Legal observer pad | Written records of events |
| Buddy or team | Witness protection + backup |
| Scanner app or notes | For license plates, directions |
| De-escalation training | For bystander interaction |
Checklist:
- Devices charged
- Face/fingerprint unlock disabled
- Camera permissions set
- Signal or ObscuraCam installed
Positioning & Communication
Always stay:
- On public property (sidewalk, easement)
- Off active roadways
- Visible but unobtrusive
Use nonverbal signals with your partner:
- 👍 OK
- 👎 Disengage
- 🟢 Continue
- 🟨 Move location
Have a duress protocol:
- Emergency contacts
- PIN unlock fallback
- Prearranged meetup if separated
Info
Your job is to be seen and to see—not to confront.
What to Document
-
Location & Time
- GPS or intersection
- Start/end time
-
Agency Presence
- ICE, CBP, local police
- Markings, insignia, vehicle IDs
-
Vehicle Activity
- Type of vehicles stopped
- Questions asked, IDs demanded
-
Behavior
- Search activity
- Verbal commands, tone
-
Abuse or Bias
- Quotes, racial targeting, profiling
- Fear, confusion, denial of rights
Hint
🛠️ Use secure blur tools to obscure license plates and faces before sharing footage.
Interaction Protocol
If approached by officers
- Be calm, say:
I’m a legal observer. I’m on public property.
- Film the interaction
- Give name only if required
If civilians ask for help
- Offer KYR flyers/cards
- Do not advise to flee
- Direct them to trusted legal support
Safety Best Practices
- Monitor with a buddy
- Check in/out with a dispatcher or contact
- Avoid livestreaming on site
- Don’t wear protest gear unless coordinated
- Don’t monitor at night unless trained
Red Flags & What to Do
| Red Flag | Response |
|---|---|
| Camera removed from vehicle | Record from afar, note time |
| Person appears confused or scared | Offer info afterward, not during |
| Agents question you directly | Film, remain polite, disengage if needed |
| Media/livestreamers arrive | Leave quietly or coordinate |
| Vehicle is pursued after checkpoint | Note plate, direction, report internally |
After the Monitoring
- Upload to a secure or encrypted cloud
- Label files clearly:
Example:
2024-06-22_Tucson_Westbound_Stop_ICE.mp4 - Use metadata-scrubbing tools
- File report with your org or network
Checkpoint Monitoring Report
Date/Time:
Location:
Agencies Present:
Stops Observed:
Abuses or Red Flags:
Footage Captured: (Y/N)
Submitted To:
Success
Your clear documentation can be the difference between freedom and detention.
Summary
- Witness without escalating
- Document safely, consistently, and legally
- Work in pairs, have a safety plan
- Submit your report to trusted channels
Ready to Certify?
If you’ve read and understood this module, and feel confident observing checkpoints safely and responsibly, continue below.
If unsure, shadow a trained monitor or attend a live simulation before certification.
📘 Knowledge Check
What is the primary goal of checkpoint monitoring?
It is legal to record law enforcement activity from a public sidewalk.
What should you document during checkpoint monitoring?
What should you say if an officer asks why you’re filming from a public space?
Which of these is NOT a safe or recommended practice?
It’s safer to livestream checkpoint monitoring while you are still on-site.
Which tools are useful for safe checkpoint monitoring?
Which of the following is a red flag during a checkpoint stop, and what should you do?
How should you interact with drivers or pedestrians who ask for help?
Why is encryption important when handling checkpoint footage?
Your buddy should always remain within eyesight during checkpoint monitoring.
What’s one way to support a non-English speaker who asks you for help?
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