Seattle recently added 30 cameras along Port of Seattle facilities, Elliott Bay and the shoreline in order to increase security, provide quicker emergency responses and gather evidence in case a crime is captured on them.
Of course, not everyone sees it that way.
"This is another step toward a surveillance society where the government is increasingly using technology to monitor people's actions and movements without having a warrant or a specific reason to do so," said Doug Honig, a spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington. Folks over in West Seattle have noticed a few of the cameras that have gone up in recent days.
According to Seattle Police, the cameras are currently stationary but can rotate. They are still formalizing internal policies in regards to how the cameras are used, how the information will be stored and for how long.
Seattle Police don't have the best reputation in the world for playing nice with others when it comes to their camera so Seattlites seem to be well within their rights to be concerned about the footage these new camera will capture.
· Waterfront surveillance cameras stir privacy fears [Seattle Times]
· More about city-installed Alki surveillance cameras [West Seattle Blog]
· Man sues, says SPD conceals dash-cam videos [Seattle Times]