The Seattle Public Safety Committee on July 31 received a briefing on proposed material updates to the city’s closed‑circuit television (CCTV) and Real‑Time Crime Center (RTCC) program, including plans to expand cameras into three areas: the Garfield/Nova High School neighborhood, the Stadium District and the Capitol Hill nightlife corridor around Nagle Place.

Captain Jim Britt, Seattle Police Department technology and innovation lead, and Nick Zahowski, the RTCC project manager, described operational results since the RTCC launched May 20, 2025: 57 deployed cameras so far, assistance on “over 1,000” 911 calls for service and support for more than 90 violent‑crime investigations. Britt highlighted cases the RTCC analysts helped with, including a drive‑by shooting and an identification that led to an arrest and a stabbing where officers were guided to take a suspect into custody.

Why it matters: the proposal would add 3 areas that city officials say face concentrated violent crime or persistent felony activity, while opponents in public comment warned expansion risks surveillance of marginalized communities and possible data access by outside agencies. The committee heard both business owners and residents describe rising violence and property crime on Capitol Hill and several speakers urge more cameras; other callers said mass surveillance would harm immigrants, LGBTQ people and unhoused residents.

Officials and funding details: Seattle Police Department chief operating officer Brian Maxey said the city will not deploy facial recognition or biometric identification. “We will not be using facial recognition. We’re not using biometrics,” Maxey said. The briefing said the expansion’s one‑time costs are roughly $425,000 for the Garfield/Nova area (with $40,000 annual maintenance), $200,000 for the Stadium District (with $20,000 annual maintenance) and $400,000 for the Capitol Hill nightlife area (with $35,000 ongoing). The presentation said the Stadium District funds are included in a budget proposal tied to the FIFA World Cup and the Garfield funds were already in the 2025 budget; funding for the Capitol Hill deployment has not yet been identified.

Retention and evaluation: presenters said retained video is currently being recorded for five days with proposed alignment to city and state retention schedules of up to 30 days if footage has evidentiary value. The committee was told the CCTV/RTCC program remains a pilot with an independent evaluation by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania: an interim report is expected at the end of year one (mid‑2026) and a final report at the end of year two (mid‑2027).

Data access and contracts: multiple public commenters raised concerns that footage or analytics stored in third‑party clouds could be obtained by federal agencies or out‑of‑state actors. Maxey and other department staff said the city negotiated contract terms with Axon (the vendor referenced in the briefing) intended to keep the city in control of its data and to require the vendor to notify the city if a court imposes a gag order. “Axon will go to court to defend our right to control our data,” Maxey said, while adding that a narrow, theoretical possibility of a court‑issued gag order exists and would trigger city review.

Public comment and community concerns: business owners in Capitol Hill described repeated violence, theft and vandalism and urged cameras; Heather Smith, a Capitol Hill business owner, said, “Within just the 5 blocks of Pike And Broadway, there are currently 45 vacant storefronts.” Other speakers, including Rebecca Garcia and a number of community organizers, urged the committee to prioritize social services and warned that expanded surveillance could chill access to reproductive and gender‑affirming health care and expose immigrants to risk. Garcia said, “More police surveillance is not what we need.”

Scope and technical points: presenters asked the committee to authorize access to Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) traffic‑management camera feeds so the RTCC could ingest and record those publicly streamed feeds for investigative use. SPD staff clarified that traffic enforcement cameras (red‑light or speed cameras) are excluded, and that SDOT cameras are functionally similar to SPD cameras though the department’s cameras generally have higher image quality for investigative needs.

Next steps: committee members asked for additional briefings and for central staff work before legislation advances. Council members pressed on community engagement, contract protections, audit access by accountability offices and clarity on pilot status. The committee did not take a formal vote on the material updates during the July 31 session; staff said the item will return for further committee consideration and that mid‑year budget actions will be used to appropriate some funds.

Community reaction and context: the hearing displayed sharp divisions. Supporters argued the technology helps police respond faster and can aid investigations; opponents said the program risks civil‑liberties harms and called for more public forums, independent evaluation results and stronger contractual protections. Officials emphasized local legal protections and city‑level oversight, including the Office of Inspector General and the Office of Police Accountability, which staff said have audit authority over access to footage and logs.

What’s next: the RTCC’s first‑year evaluation is expected in mid‑2026 and the final evaluation in mid‑2027; funding for the Capitol Hill deployment remains unresolved and would require additional appropriation. The committee will consider amendments and additional oversight language in future meetings before any ordinance change is finalized.