Seattle moves forward with more police cameras
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Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is moving ahead with the expansion of the city's closed-circuit television police cameras into three more neighborhoods, ending a months-long pause prompted by privacy concerns.
Why it matters: The decision allows Seattle to expand its crime-fighting technology as the city works to close oversight gaps identified in an independent audit.
- The city shouldn't have to choose between protecting civil liberties and delivering justice for crime victims, Wilson said at a news conference Tuesday.
Driving the news: Cameras already installed in the Stadium District will be activated immediately, while the city moves to install cameras in parts of Capitol Hill and the Central District.
- The city will simultaneously work to implement safeguards identified in a 77-page NYU Policing Project audit over the next four to six months, per Wilson.
What they found: The audit recommended requiring police to document why they access camera footage and limiting how long recordings are kept, while warning that federal authorities could still obtain the data despite local privacy protections.
Catch up quick: The City Council approved adding CCTV cameras in Capitol Hill, the Stadium District and near Garfield High School in September 2025.
- Wilson paused the expansion in March amid concerns about federal access to surveillance data.
The other side: Civil liberties advocates warn that expanding surveillance could erode privacy by allowing police to track people's movements, with disproportionate impacts on vulnerable communities.
What they're saying: Downtown Seattle Association CEO Jon Scholes praised the decision, saying additional public safety tools are "essential for solving crimes" while police staffing remains low.