Business Leaders Applaud Mayor Wilson's Decision to Turn On Public Safety Cameras

Seattle business leaders applauded Mayor Katie Wilson for her decision to advance the initial expansion of public safety cameras following an independent civil rights and civil liberties audit of the city’s Real Time Crime Center.

The move responds to a clear demand from local voters. A poll commissioned earlier this year by the Seattle Metro Chamber and Challenge Seattle found that 75 percent of Seattle voters supported allowing public safety cameras to assist active investigations.

Support remained high across different scenarios. Roughly 74 percent of voters backed cameras at major event venues, and 71 percent supported them in areas experiencing open-air drug markets and high levels of street disorder.

Research points to measurable results in other major cities. The National Institute of Justice estimated that cameras helped reduce crime by nearly 12 percent in Chicago’s Humboldt Park.

In the parts of downtown Baltimore covered by cameras, crime fell nearly 25 percent after installation. A separate study linked Chicago’s real-time crime centers to 11 percent higher case clearance rates.

“Cameras can help first responders see what they’re walking into and give detectives evidence to solve crimes. Seattle should turn them on and be clear with the public about who can use them and when. This is the right call for Seattle, and we thank Mayor Wilson for listening to employers, residents, and public safety leaders and moving forward,” said Joe Nguyễn, President and CEO of the Seattle Metro Chamber.

The Seattle Metro Chamber, Challenge Seattle, Downtown Seattle Association, and Washington Roundtable have consistently called on city leaders to turn the cameras on while putting appropriate safeguards in place.

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“Residents and businesses have sent a clear message: they want our officers to have the tools to keep them safe. By moving forward with camera expansion, Mayor Wilson is taking a critical step toward a safer city,” said former Attorney General and Governor Christine Gregoire, CEO of Challenge Seattle.

In August, the Seattle Metro Chamber and Challenge Seattle released research showing broad backing for a larger public safety agenda. Beyond cameras, 90 percent of voters backed regular police patrols in areas facing persistent safety problems, and 86 percent wanted the city to produce a measurable public safety action plan within 100 days.

“We commend Mayor Wilson for a thoughtful decision to leverage 21st century technology to keep Seattle safe. There is strong public support for public safety cameras in our community and fortunately, our city already has stringent privacy guardrails in place to ensure cameras are used appropriately by law enforcement,” said Downtown Seattle Association President & CEO Jon Scholes.

With Seattle Police staffing levels still lagging, additional public safety tools are essential for solving crimes and making the best use of the limited available patrol officers and investigative resources.

“The announcement today by Mayor Wilson is what a modern, sensible public safety decision looks like,” said Rachel Smith, President of the Washington Roundtable.

The four regional business organizations stated they will continue advocating for measurable public safety outcomes, adequate resources, and clear accountability from city leaders.