Seattle Councilmember Clarifies Police Tech Use
Seattle City Councilmember Bob Kettle addressed public misconceptions regarding the Seattle Police Department's use of technology for crime prevention. As Public Safety Chair, Kettle sought to provide accurate information on the specific tools and strategies the department employs. The statement aimed to increase transparency around the SPD's technological approach.
- Councilmember Kettle's statement specifically addressed Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology, the public camera system (CCTV), and the city's Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC). He emphasized that Seattle does not contract with Flock Safety, a vendor central to reports of federal immigration authorities accessing license plate data. - The discussion is governed by Seattle's Surveillance Ordinance (SMC 14.18), which requires public review and City Council approval before any surveillance technology is acquired or used. This ordinance has been in effect since September 2017. - Seattle launched its Real-Time Crime Center on May 20, 2025, to integrate video and data streams for investigators. In its first two months, the center was reportedly used in 600 incidents and was supporting 90 active investigations. - In September 2025, the City Council voted 7-2 to expand the surveillance camera program, adding new cameras in Capitol Hill, the Stadium District, and near Garfield High School. The expansion also allows the police to access hundreds of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) traffic cameras. - As a safeguard against federal overreach, an amendment sponsored by Councilmember Kettle was passed that would pause the surveillance program for 60 days if federal agents seek access to data for civil immigration enforcement. - The ACLU of Washington and other community organizations have raised persistent concerns about the expansion of surveillance, arguing the technology can discourage civic engagement, reinforce inequitable policing, and that there is no evidence it has been effective at reducing violent crime. - Kettle, a former U.S. Navy intelligence officer, was elected in 2023 on a platform focused on public safety and increasing the number of police officers. As chair of the Public Safety Committee, he has supported legislation to create "Stay Out of Drug Areas" (SODA) zones and to expand police hiring. - The city's 2025-2026 budget included $3.1 million to establish the Real-Time Crime Center, part of Mayor Bruce Harrell's broader "Crime Prevention Technology Pilot." There are plans to expand the RTCC's operation to 24/7 in 2026.
