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Seattle council unanimously passes 60-day pause for ALPR/CCTV data collection and updates immigration-inquiry rules
Summary
The Seattle City Council on March 31 passed two bills: a measure imposing a mandatory 60-day pause on automated license-plate recognition and CCTV data collection protocols and a code update aligning police immigration-status inquiries with the Keep Washington Working Act; both passed 8-0.
Seattle City Council voted unanimously March 31 to adopt two public-safety measures addressing surveillance and police interactions with immigration status.
Council members passed a bill amending police-technology rules to require a mandatory 60-day pause in data collection for the Seattle Police Department's automated license-plate recognition (ALPR) program and CCTV systems when certain intrusions or subpoenas arise. The council then approved a separate bill updating municipal code so Seattle Police Department personnel’s authority to inquire into a person’s citizenship or immigration status aligns with the state Keep Washington Working Act.
A nut graf: the votes were unanimous (8-0) and followed a sustained public comment period in which speakers urged the council to go further — asking for permanent bans on detention centers, an eviction moratorium and a municipal ID program to shield immigrants and trans people from federal enforcement.
Council member Rink, the prime sponsor on the ALPR/CCTV item, said the bill "intends to build additional safeguards for a mandatory 60 day pause in data collection for SPD's ALPR program" and that she hoped councilors would agree that they do not want data "used against our residents for immigration action, reproductive health care, or gender affirming care." Council member Kettle, chair of the public safety committee, said the legislation aligns ALPR and CCTV protocols and referenced state legislation (Senate Bill 602) and prior city rules as context.
The roll-call votes were recorded as follows: Council member Rink — yes; Council member Saka — aye; Council member Strauss — aye; Council member Foster — yes; Council member Juarez — aye; Council member Kettle — I; Council member Lynn — yes; Council president Hollingsworth — yes. The clerk announced "8 in favor, none opposed" for both measures.
Public commenters who had spoken earlier in the meeting urged the council to consider permanent bans on detention centers and broader surveillance rollbacks; several asked for an immediate eviction moratorium and municipal ID programs to protect undocumented people. Council members and committee chairs framed the adopted measures as incremental steps that can be built on in future legislation.
Both bills were signed by the chair and entered the council record. The council moved on to other business, including a proclamation for Ben Noble Day and excusal requests for upcoming meetings.
