Seattle Activates 22 Stadium CCTV Cameras for World Cup as Threat Briefing Raises Risk Level
Updated
Updated · KOMO News · Jun 5
Seattle Activates 22 Stadium CCTV Cameras for World Cup as Threat Briefing Raises Risk Level
3 articles · Updated · KOMO News · Jun 5
Summary
Katie Wilson said Seattle will switch on 22 Stadium District CCTV cameras for the full FIFA World Cup after police and FBI briefings cited general but credible threats tied to the tournament.
The reversal came days after criticism that the mayor was ignoring city law by leaving the newly installed system inactive despite months of saying activation would depend on intelligence and public-safety advice.
Wilson said the cameras are meant to give responders rapid situational awareness near the stadiums, while the city continues refining privacy and civil-liberties safeguards around the footage.
Bob Kettle, Rob Saka and Maritza Rivera backed the move, saying council legislation already bars facial recognition and includes oversight protections.
Seattle says more than 45 agencies have spent over 2 1/2 years preparing World Cup security, with unified command, drone and cyber drills, street closures and parking restrictions around match days.