Surveillance Fact: Security cameras have been around for longer than you may imagine. They have been available since 1942 and in use since the 1960’s. The first security camera was used by Germany on a rocket and the first industry to adapt security cameras into every day use was the banking industry.

Although surveillance has been a part of our lives for many decades, it can still be an unsettling concept. It’s a natural thing to wonder what ‘big brother’ can see and what is being done with the images and information.

The City of Seattle has published the first draft of Surveillance Impact Reports (SIRs) for six of the 29 currently existing surveillance technologies, per the Surveillance Ordinance. We’re looking for the public’s input on the SIRs to help the provide Council with insight into community perspective and ensure City policies responsibly govern the use of these technologies.

The public comment period opens today, Monday, October 8, and runs through Monday, November 5. The complete list of technologies in this first group for review, can be found below. We have three ways to allow residents to provide input and share their concerns.

1. Residents can submit their surveillance comments online at: City of Seattle Privacy website.
2. Seattle residents can also mail comments to Attn: Surveillance & Privacy Program, Seattle IT, PO Box 94709, Seattle, WA 98124
3. Public Engagement Sessions: The City will hold a series of five community meetings, listed below. The meetings will include a presentation on the technologies, followed by small group discussions. These will be facilitated to allow attendees to interact with members of their community, ask questions, hear from technology experts in the department. Attendees may also provide written comment at the meetings, without staying the entire time.

 

Public Meetings

Public Meeting	Departments Presenting	Technologies for Discussion	Date and Time	Location
Meeting 1	Seattle Police Department	Automated License Plate Readers & Parking Enforcement	October 22, 2018 5-6:30 p.m.	Columbia City Branch Library 4721 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
Meeting 2	Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle Fire Department	License Plate Readers, Traffic Cameras, Emergency Scene Cameras, and HazMat Cameras	October 25, 2018 5-6:30 p.m.	American Legion Hall 3618 SW Alaska St., Seattle, WA 98126
Meeting 3	Seattle Police Department	Automated License Plate Readers & Parking Enforcement	October 29, 2018 5-6:30 p.m.	Bertha Knight Landes Room 1st Floor City Hall – 600 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 (5th Ave door)
Meeting 4	Seattle Police Department	Automated License Plate Readers & Parking Enforcement	October 30, 2018 5-6:30 p.m.	Green Lake Branch Library 7364 East Green Lake Dr. N, Seattle, WA 98115
Meeting 5	Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle Fire Department	License Plate Readers, Traffic Cameras, Emergency Scene Cameras, and HazMat Cameras	November 5, 2018 4:30-5:30 p.m.	Green Lake Branch Library 7364 East Green Lake Dr. N, Seattle, WA 98115

 

Complete list of Group One technologies:

Department	Technologies Submitted for Public Comment
Seattle Police Department	1.       Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR), 2.       Parking Enforcement Systems (includes ALPR)
Seattle Fire Department	3.       Hazardous Materials Cameras 4.       Emergency Scene Cameras
Seattle Department of Transportation	5.       License Plate Readers 6.       Closed Circuit Television “Traffic Cameras”

 

More information on these six technologies, as well as the City of Seattle’s Privacy program, can be found online at the City of Seattle’s Privacy website.

This public input period is a valuable part of our process. The City of Seattle is committed to be transparent and accountable. Hearing from residents is part of the process. We welcome your thoughts and comments. We look forward to hearing what you have to say.