Seattle officials are advancing a proposal to increase the number of surveillance cameras across key neighborhoods in a renewed effort to improve public safety.
The proposal places particular emphasis on the area surrounding Garfield High School, which has seen several troubling incidents in recent years—including a fatal shooting that claimed the life of a 17-year-old student. These events have intensified demands from residents and school officials alike for more robust safety measures.
Seattle City Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth, who represents District 3 including the Central District, noted that the call for added security tech comes directly from the community. According to Hollingsworth, there has been strong advocacy from the school’s leadership and families seeking tools “to make sure that our kids are safe.”
If approved, the program would equip police officers with real-time access to footage from crime scenes, potentially improving response times and situational awareness before arriving on site.
The plan doesn’t stop at Garfield. It also proposes camera installations in the Capitol Hill and Stadium districts. Surveillance infrastructure is already in place in areas like Aurora Avenue and the Chinatown-International District.
The expansion would carry an estimated cost of $1 million and is currently pending a vote by the Seattle City Council.
