Seattle Resumes Police Camera Expansion Amid Privacy Concerns

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson ended a pause on expanding the police department’s Real Time Crime Center camera network, directing that Stadium District cameras be activated immediately and approving future installations near Garfield High School and in Capitol Hill. A New York University audit said the system could aid investigations and emergency response but found significant gaps in privacy and oversight policies; it did not recommend for or against expansion. Wilson says the city will adopt most of the audit’s recommendations, including tighter rules for data retention and requests from outside agencies, public reporting, and an advisory group to shape safeguards. Supporters say targeted cameras can help address serious crime, while civil-liberties advocates warn footage could be misused or accessed by federal agencies before protections are in place.