Originally published Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Police cameras recommended for 3 Seattle parks
The City Council moved closer to videotaping visitors to Seattle's parks, saying it could deter crime. On Friday, the parks committee recommended...
Seattle Times staff reporter
The City Council moved closer to videotaping visitors to Seattle's parks, saying it could deter crime.
On Friday, the parks committee recommended approving Mayor Greg Nickels' plan to install police surveillance cameras at three parks. The cameras would stay up for 21 months as part of a pilot program.
The full council is expected to vote June 9. If the measure were to pass, cameras would go live in about two months in these parks: Victor Steinbrueck near Pike Place Market, Hing Hay in the Chinatown-International District and Occidental in Pioneer Square.
"It's worth trying," said Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, parks committee chairman. "The [police] department feels strongly they can be a deterrent to crime, as well as help with evidence in cases."
Three cameras were installed in February in Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill. Several council members were upset after learning that Nickels went around a council budget proviso requiring council approval before the city could spend $850,000 on the cameras.
Council members have since sent a letter to Nickels saying they will consider "strong steps" in the future if their budget restrictions are not honored, Rasmussen said.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington opposes the cameras.
Research has shown that police cameras in public areas don't deter crime, said spokesman Douglas Honig. "It just moves it to other areas outside the eyes of the cameras."
Honig said officials then respond by installing more and more of them, eroding the privacy of law-abiding citizens.
The cameras would record 24 hours a day, but the tape wouldn't be monitored. Police supervisors could authorize staff to monitor video during a 911 call, as part of a criminal investigation or during a state of emergency. The recordings could be obtained through public-disclosure requests or for lawsuits.
Council President Richard Conlin and members Rasmussen, Tim Burgess and Nick Licata recommended passage to the full council.
Sharon Pian Chan: 206-464-2958
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
New laws help tenants evicted due to foreclosure
Researchers stunned by inmates' success raising endangered frogs
Seattle may allow homeowners to build backyard cottages
Federal Way group on trail of missing pets
UPDATE - 11:16 AM
Climber who died in fall was Duvall woman

2009 fireworks time lapse
With strict parking rules enforced at this year's July 4th celebration on Wallingford Ave North, less cars and more spectators filled the streets.
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
shopping

events for Monday, Jul. 6th
- IKEA Summer Sale
- Blackbird Spring Half-Yearly Sale
- REI Summer Sale and Clearance
- Kibbn Storewide Summer Sale
editors' picks
- Belltown shopping
- Hair salons for kids
- Knitting, sewing and craft stores
- Phinney Ridge & Greenwood shopping
general classifieds
Garage & estate salesFurniture & home furnishings
Sporting goods
just listed
Star Wars Collectibles! - $50
MUST SELL!!1 Carat 5-Ston... $1499
More listings
POST A FREE LISTING
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Seattle may allow homeowners to build backyard cottages
- Relative: Police say woman with McNair bought gun
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
- Former NFL MVP McNair killed
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
- Mariners Blog | What the Seattle Mariners learned on their road trip
- Confessions of an Idol Addict | "American Idols" on tour: Live coverage from opening date
- Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox: 07/05 game thread
248 - Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
200 - Hatred for the NBA runs deep, but don't take it out on the players
139 - Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
132 - Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
114 - Property taxes: Appeals shoot up is King, Snohomish Counties
111 - Seattle may allow homeowners to build backyard cottages
69 - What Mariners learned on this road trip
68 - FBI denounces rumors: Palin not investigated
56 - Bicyclist fatally hit by SUV outside Bremerton
54
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Seattle may allow homeowners to build backyard cottages
- Researchers stunned by inmates' success raising endangered frogs
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- 250 gather in field near Twisp for fairy congress
- New laws help tenants evicted due to foreclosure
- The People's Pharmacy | Estrogen mimicker found in sunscreen
- Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
