9 law enforcement agencies say they use StingRay technology

Big Brother is watching.

A recent news report shows that law enforcement agencies from throughout the state are using high-tech surveillance that allows police to pinpoint your location using cell phone data.

A public information record request shows the San Jose Police Department, LAPD,  LASD and San Diego Police Department are  among those who use StingRay.

Although no one will say exactly how it works, it's believed that cellphone tracking is being used to thwart terrorist plans and to disrupt terrorist networks.

It's also being used to solve other types of crime.

Oakland PD makes arrest using StingRay

Records show the Oakland Police Department arrested a total of 38 people between 2008 and 2009 through use of the technology.

The suspects were charged with everything from robbery to kidnapping to homicide.

For the most parts, the agencies who do use StingRay were able to acquire it through grant funding.  Those who use it are extensively trained, but for the most part, the program is hush-hush.

One national news outlet reportedly found that more than two dozen law enforcement agencies throughout the county are actively using the software, but in addition to being zip-lipped about how it works, most of them deny having it altogether.