The Brief
- Seattle’s mayor has paused expansion of the city’s police surveillance cameras pending a privacy and data audit.
- Existing cameras will stay on, but new installations — and license plate reader use — are on hold.
- The future of the program is uncertain as officials weigh safety benefits against privacy concerns.
SEATTLE, Wash. – Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson announced she is pausing the expansion of Seattle’s police surveillance camera program, framing her decision as a balancing act between public safety and civil liberties.
Speaking at a press conference Thursday, Wilson said the move halts growth of the city’s real-time crime center (RTCC) camera network until officials complete a comprehensive privacy and data governance audit.
“This is a decision about more than cameras,” Wilson said. “It’s about how we approach public safety, how we build trust, and how we show up for communities across the city.”
The city currently operates 62 police CCTV cameras across downtown, Aurora Avenue North and the Chinatown-International District. Those cameras will remain active.…