‘A Swiss cheese system’: Critics rally at Seattle City Hall against surveillance cameras

About a dozen community members rallied against surveillance cameras in Seattle. The city uses real-time closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and automated license plate readers (ALPR).

The community members from two organizations toured the Seattle Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center and then held a news conference at City Hall to voice their concerns.

Speaker Cliff Cawthon said he came out of the Real Time Crime Center with more questions than they had when they went in.

“Despite all of the promises of transparency and safety and securing the individual’s privacy, this is a Swiss cheese system,” Cawthon said. “It is riddled with holes.”

Members of Seattle Indivisible and the Communities Not Cameras Coalition believe contracts should be nullified and all the cameras removed to protect the privacy of Seattle residents.

Critics worry surveillance cameras used for federal enforcement

Critics said the issue with the cameras is what happens to the information after it is collected, such as the potential for it to be used for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) activity.

“We know that, in other places in the country, it’s being used to track people who are accessing legal abortion care, reproductive care, gender affirming care,” Seattle Indivisible president Kathleen Carson said. “And we also know that ICE and CBP are using the surveillance infrastructure to target our immigrant neighbors.”

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson turned CCTV cameras in the Stadium District back off after the FIFA World Cup matches in Seattle.

“This follows through on the commitment I made last month that these particular cameras would only be turned on for the duration of the FIFA World Cup in Seattle, because of its high global profile and the unique circumstances surrounding the event,” Wilson said in a statement July 7. “I believe we can keep our city safe while also protecting our privacy, but finding the best path to that goal will require continued focus and attention, with community at the table.”

Earlier this month, a coalition of Seattle business leaders called for the return of public safety cameras near some of the city’s busiest gathering places.

In an open letter to Wilson, operators of stadiums, arenas, and festivals have asked to restore 22 surveillance cameras in Pioneer Square and the Stadium District while a city review of privacy policies continues.

Renton covers Flock cameras

Another rally is set for outside Renton City Hall at 5 p.m., centered around Flock Safety’s ALPR cameras. Renton has paused and covered its 24 Flock cameras while city leaders decide whether to renew the contract.

Flock Safety said it has responded to privacy concerns with tighter safeguards, including shorter data retention and lockouts for suspicious searches.

Flock cameras are not live, and the footage is stored for only seven days after being recorded, down from its previous 30-day timeline, according to KIRO 7.

Flock Safety CEO says misuse will carry consequences

Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley said misuse will carry consequences.

“You will get caught, plain and simple,” Langley said. “If you try to use this tool illegally, you will get caught.”

There are around 2,000 cameras in Washington, as shown on Deflock’s map.

Police agencies defend surveillance cameras as critical tools

Police agencies continue to defend surveillance cameras as an effective way to track down suspects.

Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG) President Kent Loux told “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio July 8 that the cameras serve as a critical tool for law enforcement and there’s no evidence the system has been compromised.

“I don’t know of any evidence to suggest that there’s a breach in the system, to suggest that the feds are kind of looking in or overseeing anything at all,” Loux said. “And this is a force multiplier for us as police and law enforcement, and I think, coupled with the other things that we’re struggling with in this city, I think these are the tools that we need. Really, our goal should be protecting the most productive and the most vulnerable.

“I understand the privacy concerns, and I appreciate that,” he continued. “But right now, I mean, we’re catching criminals, we’re holding people accountable. These are sometimes the only witnesses we have to these crimes.”

Contributing: Tim Hohl, James Lynch and Frank Lenzi, KIRO Newsradio; Julia Dallas and Frank Sumrall, MyNorthwest