Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell recently announced that the City of Seattle 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 to help with investigations. This decision was made due to the estimated cost of implementing the gunshot detection technology exceeding the allocated budget of $1.8 million.
The gunshot detection technology, such as SoundThinking’s ShotSpotter product, uses acoustic sensors to identify the sound of gunshots and pinpoint their location. While Mayor Harrell has expressed support for testing a tool like ShotSpotter, a number of other cities that previously tried the technology ultimately abandoned it due to concerns regarding cost and effectiveness. Former Seattle City Council members and academic researchers have also raised concerns about its invasion of privacy, with some stating that it has been proven ineffective at stopping crime in independent studies.
The Crime Prevention Technology pilot is part of the One Seattle Safety Framework and includes an expansion of automated license plate readers in police vehicles, as well as additional investments in community-based measures and increased police patrols. The city conducted extensive public outreach and community safety forums to gather input from residents on issues in their neighborhoods. The surveillance impact reports for the CCTV and real-time crime center software will be shared with the Community Surveillance Working Group as required by Seattle’s surveillance ordinance to protect public privacy.
The three neighborhoods that will receive CCTV cameras as part of the project are Aurora Avenue North, the downtown Third Avenue corridor, and the Chinatown-International District. These increased crime prevention efforts aim to address the link between gun violence and stolen vehicles, with an increase in verified gun violence incidents in the first five months of the year. The announcement of these measures was met with support from organizations such as the Downtown Seattle Association, which emphasized the importance of responding quickly and efficiently to remedy staffing shortages within the police department.
Overall, the decision not to test the gunshot detection technology in Seattle and instead focus on CCTV cameras and real-time crime center software reflects a shift towards evidence-based solutions and technologies to address public safety concerns. By investing in proven methods of crime prevention and community safety measures, the City of Seattle hopes to create safer neighborhoods and improve responses to criminal activity. The pilot project is part of a broader effort to enhance public safety in Seattle and provide more options in the city’s public safety toolkit.
