Seattle has deactivated 22 surveillance cameras in the Stadium District following the conclusion of FIFA World Cup events in the city. The cameras were temporarily reactivated in early June after the Seattle Police Department and FBI identified general but credible safety concerns related to hosting the international soccer tournament.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said the cameras were only intended to operate during the World Cup because of the event’s global visibility and unique security considerations. No major incidents were reported near the stadiums during the tournament.
The city originally paused its surveillance camera pilot program in March amid concerns about privacy, data management, and the potential use of camera information for federal immigration enforcement. Some community members also raised concerns that disabling cameras could create additional public safety challenges.
An independent audit of Seattle’s police CCTV policies and practices is expected this fall. The Stadium District cameras will remain offline during the review, and the city will not activate additional cameras until the audit is complete. The mayor said the findings will be shared publicly.
Existing cameras in the Downtown Core, Chinatown International District, and North Aurora areas will remain operational.
The Downtown Seattle Association raised concerns about the decision, saying surveillance cameras are an important tool for law enforcement to investigate crimes and support public safety, particularly in areas with high visitor activity and major transportation connections.
Mayor Wilson said the city’s goal is to balance public safety needs with privacy protections and committed to continued transparency and community involvement as Seattle evaluates its use of surveillance technology.
