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Mayor Harrell Signs Legislation to Implement Crime Prevention Technology Pilot, Improving Ability to Quickly Respond to and Investigate Crimes 

Seattle – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell signed legislation to implement two new public safety technologies from the Crime Prevention Technology Pilot following passage by the City Council earlier this week. The pilot is part of Mayor Harrell’s comprehensive and holistic approach to public safety with a focus on ensuring every person in our city is safe and feels safe. 

“We must use every tool at our disposal to strengthen our public safety efforts, take dangerous guns off our streets, and hold offenders accountable,” said Mayor Harrell. “Leveraging these new evidence-based technologies will help our law enforcement officers have the information they need to respond quickly to crimes, helping us create safer environments in neighborhoods that are facing high rates of gun violence, human trafficking, and persistent felony crime. We know that we must do more to prevent and reduce crime and ensure all communities in our city feel safe, and I’m pleased to have a strong partnership with City Councilmembers on these critical efforts.” 

“I am grateful for the leadership of the Mayor and City Council members that supported these important digital tools. Technology is force multiplier at a time when staffing is stretched thin,” said SPD Interim Chief Sue Rahr. “Not only will the CCTV’s create a deterrent effect, they will also alert police immediately to dangerous events and provide critical evidence to increase accountability for violent criminal acts.”  

The pilot will deploy closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in three targeted neighborhoods that experience disproportionate criminal activity: Aurora Avenue North, the downtown Third Avenue corridor, and the Chinatown-International District (CID). 

The pilot also utilizes new real-time crime center (RTCC) technology, which integrates multiple data streams, such as dispatch, CCTV cameras, 911 calls, records management systems, and more, to share with officers responding in the field so that they have the most reliable, accurate information about evolving incidents. 

“The Crime Prevention Technology Pilot offers Seattle Police officers another important tool to keep our communities safe,” said Councilmember Bob Kettle, who chairs the Public Safety Committee. “The passage is another example of the council’s strategic focus on public safety. I also want to thank Mayor Harrell for exploring these technologies and his support.” 

“Technology like CCTV and the RTCC gives our city an opportunity to leverage technology to help SPD rapidly investigate crimes and quickly bring cases to conclusion. This legislation is part of a commitment to delivering on the basic public safety needs of our city,” said Councilmember Rob Saka, vice-chair of the Public Safety Committee. 

The CCTV and RTCC technologies will be paired with a comprehensive crime-prevention approach, including increased police patrols, continued investments in community-based initiatives, and enhanced lighting and cleaning at specific locations where crime is concentrated. 

Mayor Harrell’s 2025-2026 budget proposal includes $2.4 million to establish and staff a Real Time Crime Center that will be integrated with closed-circuit television cameras to triage and coordinate emergency responses. The proposed budget also includes funding for new overhead lighting, similar to what was recently installed on Third Avenue, to enhance safety and create welcoming streetscapes. 

“Our communities are diverse, and so are the challenges we face. This pilot program is about using technology to support—not replace—the hard work of those on the front lines,” said Councilmember Tanya Woo. “It’s not just about security; it’s about building trust. Trust that this technology will be used responsibly, to protect and strengthen our neighborhoods. We need long-term and short-term strategies to help communities feel safe so we can truly thrive.” 

“The Council’s passage of the Crime Prevention Technology pilot reflects the importance that I, and my colleagues, place on public safety and accountability,” said Councilmember Maritza Rivera. “This legislation will allow SPD to more efficiently combat crime in our city’s hot spots, while providing the needed layers of accountability to protect the public’s privacy. While we work to fully staff our police force for the long term, we must also give them additional tools to fight crime right now.” 

Earlier this year, the City approved the expansion of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) to all police vehicles with dashcams to help solve active investigations, find missing persons, and recover lost or stolen vehicles. 

Read more about Mayor Harrell’s vision for the Safety Framework here