Mayor Wilson is Taking World Cup Public Safety Seriously
Temporary Closed-Circuit Television Cameras for FIFA.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson decided to turn on CCTV in SoDo for the World Cup.
CCTV is an eye in the sky which people with bad intentions try to avoid. These cameras are intended for areas of concentrated crime. Some critics are warning of CCTV overreach with the technology. History shows how leadership sometimes means making decisions in spite of pointed criticism.
1999 Celebration Cancelled
Mayor Paul Schell was attacked by political opponents for cancelling the 1999 New Year’s Eve celebration at the Space Needle over terrorism concerns.
Just weeks before the planned celebrations, there was an arrest at the Canadian border. Customs agents found an individual with a car containing powerful explosives. They also discovered Space Needle tourist literature.
There had not been any prior intelligence reports suggesting threats. This was a terrorist plot scuttled by sharpe-eyed border agents.
There was no credible threat after the arrest, yet FBI director Louis Freeh personally recommended to Mayor Schell he cancel the 1999 New Years event.
Seattle activists, always hammering the politically moderate Schell, said he was overreacting.
New Years 1999 happened at a quiet Seattle Center — fortunately, nothing bad happened. Then came September 11, 2001. Suddenly, Schell’s caution didn’t look so foolish. He later said he felt vindicated — and he was.
That lesson should not be forgotten.
Big Picture Political Battles
Local activists have turned CCTV into a political symbol fighting things like the federal government.
Critics claim CCTV will be used to persecute people seeking abortions and gender transitions, citing instances in other states. There is also the matter of federal immigration enforcement. CCTV critics are comparing instances with other surveillance tools like automatic license‑plate readers, travel records and cell phone trails.
I get the concern over how we’re losing more and more of our privacy. We can’t let this overarching issue make us lose sight of how CCTV can help protect us now from bad actors.
Mayor Wilson, like her predecessor Paul Schell was with the Seattle Center in 1999, is cautious regarding any public safety threats at FIFA World Cup.
Symptom, Not a Cure
Ultimatley, the need for CCTV is a symptom of bad policies.
For example, terrorism results from decades of Neo-Conservatism practiced by both the parties which dominate our politics. United States foreign policy has been about guns and bombs for too long. A peace-centered foreign policy will pay off for humanity here and abroad.
Current local policy is also failing with areas of concentrated crime resulting from Chronic Addiction Homelessness. Local leadership are doing the same thing over and over, while the situation is getting worse.
We also need a reasonable immigration policy .
Change policies and the need for video surveillance should subside.
We can certainly work towards safeguarding privacy issues with CCTV and other surveillance technology. This is part of our public process.
Our elected leadership have a responsibility to keep residents and visitors safe. Mayor Katie Wilson made the right call with temporary cameras in SoDo for the FIFA World Cup.
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