Expanded surveillance technology in Seattle leads to heated public meeting

SEATTLE — An expansion of Seattle's surveillance technology was the focus of a heated public meeting Tuesday night between city leaders and community members.

The gathering happened at the final public comment meeting for a “Technology Assisted Crime Prevention Pilot Technologies" project favored by Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell.

According to representatives with the mayor's office, the program would allow for the installation of several security cameras in high trafficked, high crime areas of the city. Additionally, it would set up a pilot program where gunshot detection systems would monitor gunfire around the city and then alert police to the location. In November 2023, the Seattle City Council approved Harrell’s request for $1.5 million to test gunshot detection systems like ShotSpotter.

At Tuesday's public meeting, the expansion of such high-tech gadgets led to heightened tensions.

"It sends cops with twitchy trigger fingers on wild goose chases. Do not fund this technology,” said a person opposed to the expansion.

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"The Black community wants it. We need it," noted community advocate Victoria Bush. "(Opponents of the expansion) are not in our neighborhoods. They’re not dying."

Several members of the Seattle Police Department (SPD), including Chief Adrian Diaz, attended the meeting on Zoom. Harrell also observed the meeting virtually. More than 20 people spoke out against the expansion while KOMO News was at the meeting, while only three people publicly supported it.

“SPD provides no data to show this technology works, while plenty of research shows it hurts," said one woman.

“This technology is proven ineffective, expensive, and harmful," added another speaker.

Those in favor of increased surveillance argued the expansion is necessary given the fact that Seattle hit a record number of homicides in 2023, all while down more than 600 officers compared to pre-pandemic levels.

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"100 years ago or so, you’d be in this room fighting against taking fingerprints. Think about it,” said one proponent of the expansion.

"We can have (opponents of the expansion) talk about BIPOC, about the Black community, but have they been to a funeral? How many times have they sat with a mother crying because their son has been killed?” asked Rev. Harriett Waldon.

While there are still several more steps to go before the technology is introduced, Harrell said he hopes to have everything in place by the start of the summer. Harrell added that any initial introduction would be limited in spending as the system is evaluated.

According to a press release from the city, the possible pilot areas under consideration are on Aurora Avenue North, Belltown, the Chinatown-International District and in the Downtown Commercial Core.