CRIME BLOTTER

Seattle considers $1M security camera expansion to protect students

Aug 5, 2025, 5:02 AM

Security Camera - seattle...

A security camera is pictured. The City of Seattle is considering installing more cameras. (Steffi Loos, Getty Images)

(Steffi Loos, Getty Images)

As public safety concerns grow, the City of Seattle is considering expanding its security camera network into several neighborhoods, with a particular focus on the area surrounding Garfield High School.

The goal is to prevent crime and provide law enforcement with real-time information during emergency responses, according to KOMO News. 

June marked the first anniversary of the fatal shooting of Garfield High School student Amarr Murphy-Paine, who was killed while attempting to break up a lunchtime fight outside a school building.

Seattle considers $1M camera expansion amid rising safety concerns

Officials said the technology could significantly improve police response times by giving information about the scene before they arrive. 

If approved, the program would add cameras to the Stadium District and Capitol Hill. These areas would join neighborhoods such as the Chinatown-International District and Aurora Avenue, where cameras are already being used. 

The proposed expansion comes with a $1 million price tag and is currently under review by the Seattle City Council. A decision is expected in the coming weeks.

Community feedback on the proposal has been mixed. Some residents welcomed the additional security, and others expressed privacy concerns. 

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