Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced on Friday that the city will not be testing a controversial gunshot detection technology system as part of the Crime Prevention Technology pilot project. Instead, the project will focus on the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in three neighborhoods with higher crime rates, as well as the use of “real-time crime center” software. The decision to exclude the gunshot detection product was due to budget constraints, as the estimated cost for the pilot project exceeded the allocated budget.
The gunshot detection technology, such as SoundThinking’s ShotSpotter product, uses acoustic sensors to identify the sound of gunshots and triangulate their location. Although Harrell had previously expressed support for testing such a tool, other cities that have implemented ShotSpotter have experienced challenges, including high costs and limitations in effectiveness. Former Seattle City Council members and academic researchers have also raised concerns about the invasion of privacy and the overall effectiveness of the product.
The Crime Prevention Technology pilot is part of a broader effort called the One Seattle Safety Framework, which aims to enhance public safety in the city. In addition to the installation of CCTV cameras and the use of real-time crime center software, the pilot includes an expansion of automated license plate readers and additional investments in community-based measures. The goal is to provide evidence-based solutions and technologies to help communities address crime and improve public safety.
The three neighborhoods that will receive CCTV cameras as part of the pilot project are Aurora Avenue North, the downtown Third Avenue corridor, and the Chinatown-International District. These areas will also see increased police patrols, additional investments in community-based measures, and improvements in lighting and cleanliness to address higher levels of criminal activity. The link between gun violence and stolen vehicles has been highlighted, with an increase in verified gun violence incidents in the first five months of the year.
In an effort to protect public privacy, the City has produced surveillance impact reports for the CCTV and real-time crime center software, which will be shared with the Community Surveillance Working Group as required by Seattle’s surveillance ordinance. The decision to focus on CCTV cameras and real-time crime center software instead of gunshot detection technology comes after the city received updated cost estimates for the pilot project, which exceeded the allocated budget. Overall, the addition of more crime prevention tools to areas of the city that have requested increased public safety measures has been welcomed by community leaders and organizations.
