Through the Static

by Hannah Saunders

The long-awaited analysis of Seattle’s technological surveillance systems, like CCTV cameras, automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), and the Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) software, was released by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) on Sept. 30. The 23-page report uncovered gaps in certain protective measures, and the Community Not Cameras Coalition (CNCC) is continuing to demand that the City redirect surveillance funds towards proven anti-violence programs and resources.

“This review found that SPD and City leadership did not sufficiently consider integration of private cameras in the development and approval of RTCC and CCTV Surveillance Impact Reports (SIRs) and should promptly identify appropriate guidelines. This review also identified that SPD should apply additional civil liberty safeguards by requiring authorized users to provide thorough justification for any search in the CCTV or ALPR databases,” according to the Annual Surveillance Review: Technology Assisted Public Safety Pilot Program.

CCTV camera surveillance footage is stored at the RTCC for five days unless called up as being connected to an incident, in which case, SPD creates a clip of the image or video and uploads it to Axon’s Fusus Vault cloud server; RTCC analysts can then connected the evidence to a case number in Axon’s evidence.com. Axon is a partner of the Department of Homeland Security, providing the agency with tools like body-worn video cameras, among others.

“While policy prohibits proactive surveillance, the Axon Fuses software does not currently have a process to prevent or monitor this kind of activity. RTCC personnel can view CCTV cameras without providing a justification such as a case number or CAD event. Absent this requirement, SPD lacks a way to prevent, control or audit improper use of this technology,” according to OIG.

The OIG stated that SPD does not use facial recognition software. CCTV costs for 2025, including the purchase of cameras, installation, and personnel costs, equated to $3,494,346. One of the three recommendations the OIG laid out in its report is having SPD implement a new policy that would require RTCC analysts to offer a case number or reasoning for incidents they view from CCTV footage in the Axon Fusus software, with an implementation deadline by Oct. 16.

The OIG also picked out five instances where non-public zones, like apartment and hotel windows, were visible via cameras and may require masking. Masking is generally conducted prior to installation, although if necessary following installation, the masking depends entirely on technician availability.

“OIG reviewed user activity logs from both Fusus and Evidence.com for 2025 and found no record of RTCC analysts sharing surveillance data to external entities or allowing non-specified users to access or handle data. Consequently, this review found no indication of improperly shared surveillance data,” OIG stated.

ALPRs, which are used in SPD patrol vehicles, and license plate information are stored in searchable databases at evidence.com for 90 days before allegedly being purged. In March, Washington passed a law limiting the collection, retention, and sharing of this data, and SPD halted ALPR efforts. The OIG said the database was purged and shut down, and that SPD “appropriately limits,” the number of people with access to the database. In 2025, there were over 1,200 evidence.com users although 33 had access to the ALPR database.

The two other OIG recommendations include making sure SPD searches align with policy for ALPRs, and adopting policies and procedures to incorporate criteria for privately-owned cameras, such as where they can be used, by March 15, 2027.

“For license plate data, the Inspector General found the city still needs to understand Axon’s data sharing policies, and a Mayor’s Office review of that question has not concluded. Axon supplies the device in every private camera connected to the Real Time Crime Center, and Axon holds federal immigration enforcement contracts. The city cannot yet say what Axon will do with Seattle’s data when a federal agency asks for it. A city that cannot answer that question does not control its data,” CNCC stated.

With surveillance costing the City of Seattle millions of dollars, and with the drastic spike in federal immigration enforcement terrors, CNCC said money should be dedicated towards more tangible solutions to crimes. It is continuing to urge the City to invest in community-led programs, like the Regional Peacekeepers Collective and the Rainier Beach Action Coalition’s Restorative Resolutions Project. The CNCC wants all surveillance funding for 2027 to be redirected towards community violence prevention, and for the City to stop the expansion of CCTV, ALPRs, and the RTCC within the budget.

“Public safety is the goal. The 2027 budget is where the City chooses between police surveillance cameras and the programs that prevent violence. We ask the City to invest in community, not cameras,” the group said.

Did you know that TtS is fully-funded by readers just like you? If this story mattered to you, help fund our next one by becoming a monthly or one-time donor of $5, $10, or $25 here.