Seattle City Council Expands Surveillance Cameras Across Multiple Districts

The Seattle City Council has approved expanding the city’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance program with a 7-2 vote, adding cameras in new public spaces including Capitol Hill, the Stadium District, Garfield High School, and the Central District ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The expansion also allows Seattle Police to use traffic cameras from the Seattle Department of Transportation as part of the Real Time Crime Center. Supporters argue the cameras have been instrumental in more than 600 investigations and help police respond quickly to crime. However, the expansion has faced strong opposition from civil rights groups such as the ACLU, the Seattle Community Police Commission, and immigration advocates, who express concerns over privacy violations, potential misuse of data in federal immigration enforcement, and disproportionate impacts on Black and brown communities. Public comments included over 120 speakers warning that increased surveillance could deepen mistrust in policing and governance, and harm marginalized neighborhoods through over-policing. The City Council included an amendment to limit cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement, but installation timelines for some sites remain uncertain.