Seattle City Council Expands CCTV Network to Fight Crime

The Seattle City Council voted 7-2 on Tuesday to expand the city's closed-circuit television (CCTV) network and pass two ordinances designed to combat crime. The expansion adds cameras to Capitol Hill, the stadium district near Pioneer Square, and areas surrounding Garfield and Nova High Schools. The legislation also authorizes the Seattle Police Department to utilize Seattle Department of Transportation traffic cameras at the Real Time Crime Center.

Supporters of the measure noted that the existing network of roughly 50 cameras has already assisted in more than 600 investigations. However, the vote faced opposition from the American Civil Liberties Union and some council members who argued that surveillance violates privacy and fails to reduce violent crime. Critics specifically warned that federal authorities could use the data to target immigrants and individuals seeking reproductive or gender-affirming healthcare.

To address these concerns, the ordinances include an amendment prohibiting cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement. City leaders pledged that surveillance data would not be shared for immigration or healthcare enforcement purposes. The city intends to evaluate the effectiveness of the expanded program in 2026 and 2027.