A new poll of Seattle voters shows broad support for public safety cameras and other crime-fighting measures, arriving just hours after gunfire erupted in Pione
A new poll of Seattle voters shows broad support for public safety cameras and other crime-fighting measures, arriving just hours after gunfire erupted in Pioneer Square near city surveillance cameras that had been turned off.
The poll, released Monday by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Challenge Seattle, found 75% of Seattle voters support allowing public cameras to be used following a 911 call to assist with an active investigation.
Forty-five percent said they strongly support the policy.
The survey also found 74% support expanding cameras to Seattle Center and other places where large crowds gather, 71% support cameras in areas dealing with open-air drug markets and high levels of street disorder, and 68% support allowing civilian public safety officials to monitor cameras in real time in designated high-crime areas and during major events.
Those findings take on new significance after a shootout early Sunday outside Cowgirls Inc. near First Avenue and King Street in Pioneer Square. Police said a fight that began at the bar spilled into the street before several people exchanged gunfire. More than 20 shots were reportedly fired, multiple vehicles and a nearby business were struck, and a person later arrived at Harborview Medical Center with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. No arrests had been announced as of Monday morning.
Three city surveillance cameras near the shooting scene were not operating at the time. They were among 22 cameras installed in the Stadium District and Pioneer Square area ahead of the FIFA World Cup and connected to Seattle's Real Time Crime Center. Mayor Wilson allowed those cameras to operate during the tournament because of what she described as credible security threats, but they were turned off after the World Cup ended.
Security worker Brandon Rollins told KOMO News the cameras could have provided investigators with valuable evidence from the shooting and its aftermath. Police recovered shell casings of multiple calibers and a gun at the scene, but detectives were still working to identify suspects.
The timing is notable because the new polling was conducted before Sunday's shooting. Fulcrum Strategy Group surveyed 500 registered Seattle voters online between Aug. 10 and Aug. 13, with the results weighted to reflect the city's registered voter population.
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points. The camera questions also presented voters with arguments on both sides of the debate, noting supporters' contention that cameras help investigators catch violent-crime suspects while opponents raise concerns about surveillance, privacy and civil liberties. Even with those concerns included, 75% supported allowing camera use after a 911 call, including 55% of voters identified as progressive.
“Seattle voters have provided a clear roadmap for action. They support using cameras to investigate crime, maintaining a strong public safety presence where problems persist, and delivering a public safety action plan with measurable goals and regular accountability,” said Joe Nguyen, CEO of the Seattle Metro Chamber, in a prepared statement.
“The public isn’t asking for a debate on public safety. They want action now to solve it,” said former Gov. Chris Gregoire, CEO of Challenge Seattle, in a prepared statement. “Seattle residents are clear about their priorities: turn the cameras on now, increase visible police presence now, and provide a comprehensive, action-driven public safety plan in the next 100 days. These are shared priorities for everyone, and we’re committed to working in partnership with our public leaders to advance solutions that make Seattle safer for everyone starting now."
Downtown Seattle Association President and CEO Jon Scholes said the results show voters are ready for the city to make greater use of technology.
“Strong public support for modern safety technology isn’t surprising. Seattleites deserve to feel safe in their city, their neighborhoods, and when they’re at large events. With Seattle Police staffing levels still lagging, additional public safety tools are really important,” Scholes said.
The debate over Seattle's camera network has centered in part on privacy, and the possibility that stored footage or live feeds could be accessed by federal agencies for investigations involving immigration, abortion or gender-affirming care. The city has two ongoing audits of its Real Time Crime Center and camera technology that are expected to be completed this fall.
But the new poll suggests voters are placing a high priority on public safety even as that debate continues. The Chamber and Challenge Seattle summarized the results as a call for more visible policing, greater use of crime-fighting technology and measurable goals for improving safety. Only 34% of voters surveyed said they were confident city leadership currently has an effective public-safety plan.
In response to the polling data, Mayor Katie Wilson's office issued this statement:
"Everyone in this city deserves to feel safe, and that means taking seriously what safety means for every community. Residents and businesses dealing with crime need to know we hear them. Immigrant families, LGBTQ+ residents, and people seeking and providing reproductive care need to know we hear them, too.
We owe all of them a serious, evidence-based answer. Earlier this year, we commissioned an independent audit to review how camera data is collected, stored, and shared, and to provide recommendations.
When that data comes back this fall, we will share what we learn with the public and use it to shape our path forward."
This story will be updated.
