SEATTLE'S MORNING NEWS

‘We’ve had serious public safety problems’: Seattle council president backs Seattle’s surveillance cameras

Sep 12, 2025, 11:23 AM | Updated: 11:25 am

Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson summarized the City of Seattle’s decision to implement public surveillance cameras to deter crime in highly susceptible areas.

The surveillance cameras have sparked public debate, with critics claiming the footage collected is an invasion of people’s privacy, while others noted they can hold criminals accountable.

“[The cameras] are already deployed in certain parts of our city where there is a high degree of crime and violence,” Nelson said on “Seattle’s Morning News” on KIRO Newsradio. “The legislation we passed on Tuesday would expand the use of those cameras in other areas, like the Capitol Hill nightlife area, and around Garfield High School, where we’ve had serious, serious public safety problems.”

Listen to the full conversation above.

Listen to “Seattle’s Morning News” with Charlie Harger and Manda Factor weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. on KIRO Newsradio. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Please follow our Community Guidelines

Seattle's Morning News

mariners rick rizzs retire...

Manda Factor

Retiring Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs on what went wrong in 2026 — and why he’s ‘really positive’ about next year

With nine games remaining in his 52-year broadcasting career, Rick Rizzs isn't ready to concede anything about the season or the joy of calling it.

2 days ago

wa gas gallon driver gasbuddy...

Manda Factor

WA drivers pay more than $5.57 a gallon for gas with no end in sight, GasBuddy analyst warns

GasBuddy warns WA drivers of record high gas prices with no relief in sight. Regular gas averages $5.57 a gallon in Seattle.

5 days ago

seattle 12th and jackson...

Charlie Harger

Harger: 3 months ago, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson promised to clean up 12th and Jackson. I went back Monday

It's human suffering on full display. The parks of North Beacon Hill, stretching down to 12th and Jackson. People clearly in need of help, clearly in danger.

5 days ago

teachers pay wa grades...

Charlie Harger

Harger: WA pays teachers top dollar for middling test scores. Maybe we’re grading the wrong thing

Top-tier pay. Record spending. Average results. Why Washington should offer families a real vocational track alongside the traditional college path.

6 days ago

mariners rick rizzs retire...

Manda Factor

‘I’m going to be a wreck’: Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs reflects on last road trip before retirement

The voice of the Seattle Mariners, Rick Rizzs, left this week for what will be the final road series of his broadcasting career that began 52 years ago.

9 days ago

9/11 new york twin towers seattle...

Charlie Harger

Seattle couple filmed the Twin Towers from 50 yards away on 9/11. Their tape became key evidence in terror trials. Now they’re telling the full story

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Seattle radio host Tami Michaels and her husband Guy Rosbrook were asleep on the 35th floor of the Millennium Hilton in lower Manhattan, directly across Church Street from the World Trade Center.

9 days ago

‘We’ve had serious public safety problems’: Seattle council president backs Seattle’s surveillance cameras