News Release

For Immediate Release
May 26, 2026

FROM THE OFFICE OF: Councilmember Rob Saka

CONTACT: Brad Harwood, Communications Director 206-798-7577 or brad.harwood@seattle.gov

Councilmember Saka calls on Mayor Wilson to turn on CCTV ahead of World Cup

FIFA events begin in June amidst ongoing public safety concerns

SEATTLE – Today, Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1), Vice-Chair of the Public Safety Committee, called for Mayor Wilson to allow the Seattle Police Department’s Real-Time Crime Center to turn on its closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the Stadium District ahead of the World Cup. Councilmember Saka’s request comes after the Mayor’s announcement on March 19 to willingly not use the installed cameras unless there was a “credible threat.”  The Stadium District is in Councilmember Saka’s district. 

“Security cameras play a critical role in the investigation of crimes, including unthinkable mass casualty events. I know this firsthand as a runner in the 2013 Boston Marathon. I had just crossed the finish line waiting at the family meetup location two blocks away when the planted bombs exploded,” said Councilmember Saka. “Ultimately, it was security camera footage and the technology that allowed investigators to quickly trace the attackers’ movements and catch them before they could strike again with another mass casualty event.”

“We have this same technology available in Seattle today. In May, we were able to use cameras to arrest suspects in a savage beating of a 77-year-old man downtown – suspects who could’ve gotten away and done it again. I strongly urge Mayor Wilson to turn on existing cameras in the Stadium District for the upcoming World Cup events. Activating these cameras could help deter attackers by showing that Seattle Police Department can identify them, while empowering authorities to quickly investigate if an incident occurs. With Seattle on the world stage, lives are at stake. Our city should not vacillate over some murky and confusing “credible threat” standard, which could do more harm than good even if properly implemented. Mayor Wilson must do the reasonable thing and use this existing tool with robust safeguards and privacy controls that are among the best in the entire nation,” concluded Councilmember Saka. 

Background

The Seattle Police Department’s Real-Time Crime Center has 62 CCTV cameras located in three areas: downtown, along Aurora Avenue, and in the Chinatown International District. In late 2025, the City decided to expand the CCTV program into three additional neighborhoods, including the Stadium District.

Since its launch in April 2025, the Real-Time Crime Center has helped solve at least 561 violent crime cases citywide through the end of February 2026. Police attribute recent successful investigations, including the arrest of two suspects for the April 2026 assault of a 77-year-old military veteran, to the use of this technology.

In March, Mayor Wilson announced plans to pause the expansion of the CCTV program pending the completion of a privacy and data governance audit.  Mayor Wilson declared that installation of the cameras in the Stadium District would continue, but that they would not be turned on except in response to a credible threat.

About the City Council
The Seattle City Council is the elected legislative branch of the city’s government. It’s comprised of nine councilmembers serving four-year terms and representing over 800,000 constituents — seven selected by districts and two through citywide positions. For the latest news and information, please visit seattle.gov/council.

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