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Waterfront cameras are meant to serve as a safety measure for the Port of Seattle. Still, West Seattle residents are concerned. (AP Photo/File)

Residents in West Seattle concerned about waterfront cameras; Luke Burbank isn't

BY Alyssa Kleven  on March 13, 2013 @ 11:03 am (Updated: 1:40 pm - 3/13/13 )

We're worried about cameras: Red light cameras, police drones, and now - cameras along Seattle's waterfront.

Or at least, everyone with the exception of Luke Burbank, is worried about cameras.

West Seattleites received their first chance to speak out on the cameras at a meeting on Tuesday. The cameras were already discussed by the Seattle City Council.

Assistant Police Chief Paul McDonagh said he had a press conference time set up so that he could make an announcement on the cameras. However, issues kept coming up, and he had to keep pushing the conference back.

Some residents, like those at the meeting in West Seattle, feel like they weren't properly notified about the cameras.

"Seattle is a very close city, but we also have to remember we're an international city with a port," McDonagh tells KING 5. "So we have to protect the port to protect our city, and that's one of the reasons, the biggest reason, that we put in for this project."

But one resident described the cameras as "creepy."

Officials say creepiness shouldn't be an issue. The technology they're allegedly using has software that doesn't let them see through the windows of homes, says KIRO Radio host Luke Burbank. "I don't understand how that technology works."

Aside from mystery technology, Luke says he feels like one of the only people in Seattle that really doesn't have a problem with the cameras.

"I was apparently the only person in Seattle that didn't have a problem with [police] drones." Luke says he isn't someone who thinks the government is out to get him.

"I want them to catch the person that did the bad thing." That means that Luke is OK with red light cameras, for example. "If that means that they put me in that intersection, even though I told my girlfriend that I was working late but really I was driving home from the casino (not that that would ever happen,) but even if that happens to me, I think it's worth that in the trade off for the larger public safety."

The cameras are up, but are not yet operational.

Additional meetings about the cameras will be held in the coming weeks.

Alyssa Kleven, MyNorthwest.com Editor
Alyssa Kleven is an editor and content producer at MyNorthwest.com. She enjoys doting over her adorable dachshund Winnie - named for Arcade Fire front-man Win Butler.
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Comments (15)


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  • ron prevost wrote...
    of course Luke isn't concerned -
    March 13, 2013 12:50 pm
    He lives in Mt. Baker.
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Of course (can we all say it?)
    March 13, 2013 12:51 pm
    'If you've done nothing wrong, you've nothing to worry about.'
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  • 2112 wrote...
    Until
    March 13, 2013 1:21 pm
    the day comes when they can't live another day without using the camera to fine you for every possible infraction possible. Soon it will be another money maker.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DonVigo wrote...
    Well, I'm kinda with Luke on this one.
    March 13, 2013 1:40 pm
    While I have the same concerns about the possiblity of a Big Brother like state with all these modern eyes on society... I just don't honestly feel like I'd do anything worth being a blip on the radar. Could be niave to think nothing I do in my day-to-day life is worth hiding... I s'pose, but these stories just don't seem to put the scare into me they do in the more parinoid set.

    Speaking of, prepare for the typical onslaught of said parinoia accompanied by the required blaming of the president... Because heck, everything's his fault, right?

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  • Zoeller wrote...
    Like Lukes revelation is any surprise to anyone.
    March 13, 2013 2:06 pm
    Luke is all in for every single nanny state issue that ever comes up. Heck Luke would have the Gov. wipe for him if he could figure out a way for the tax payers to pay for it.
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  • Str8Thinking wrote...
    So what is the point of these cameras?
    March 13, 2013 4:45 pm
    Is it a matter of putting a glorified security guard behind a bank of monitor instead of an officer on patrol, or is it so after the crime happens the police use it to try to actually catch the person.
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  • Chrisfrommv wrote...
    Ben franklin
    March 13, 2013 5:25 pm
    They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.-- Lets ask the brits how effective and intrusive their camera system can be... 2nd highest violent crime rate in all the EU
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  • Benjamin98272 wrote...
    we have cameras all over
    March 13, 2013 5:38 pm
    I have to laugh at the people who are mad at the cameras. i'm a security guard in Seattle if the people only knew how often they are on camera. you can't walk in down town seattle with out being on camera. it's just that most people don't look up. if your on the sidewalk in down town someone is watching you about 95% of the time. more cameras are geting added every day so get used to it
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  • Cash wrote...
    I agree with Luke on this one
    March 13, 2013 7:53 pm
    With the exception for using them for civil infractions such as red light or speeding cameras. I am all in for public safety and for use in criminal investigations. I think the red light/speeding cameras should be pulled immediately and anyone who ever had to pay a ticket should get their money back. Commit a criminal offense on the camera, smile and say cheese!
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  • Paladinlich wrote...
    Get over it...
    March 13, 2013 7:59 pm
    What difference does it make if there is a camera watching you on a street corner or a police officer standing there watching you? I think people that are afraid of the cameras & drones watch too much TV or need their head examined. I guarantee you are not interesting enough to watch. Personally, if I get robbed or killed I want the cameras there so the crime committed against me will be avenged. Other 1st world countries such as Great Britain have cameras everywhere & all it's done is reduce crime, catch criminals & solve cases.
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  • Chrisfrommv wrote...
    pala...
    March 13, 2013 8:42 pm
    You are mis-informed, while they can help occasionally solve crime, they do nothing to reduce it. Like I said England, most watched country in the world with london boasting camera's on every angle of the street and the 2nd highest violent crime rate in the EU... might I also add the tremendous cost it takes to install, maintain, protect servers and filter through the footage. Can we really afford that burden?
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  • shark75 wrote...
    Luke thinks he's some sort of celebrity
    March 13, 2013 8:01 pm
    Which he is in a way, an annoying one. Kinda like Ashton Kircher (sp?). He's not AS annoying, but I'd hate to interrupt him while he's reading the thesaurus before the show each day so he can sound intelligent. He THINKS he's smart but he's a useful idiot that sometimes asks the right questions. He and Libby would make a good couple actually. She's just a useful idiot that happens to be hot though...
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  • Country_Dog wrote...
    A camera
    March 14, 2013 5:24 am
    once saved Luke's life.

    Long ago, he had dreams of possibly moving to Colorado and may have moved to Aurora. He also likes movies and had he moved to Aurora and gone to see a movie, it might have been Batman and he could have been shot in that theater on opening night.

    I'm not sure how this is related to cameras, but it does reveal how brave and courageous Luke is, having narrowly escaped death.

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