Serving Queen Anne & Magnolia Since 1919 www.QueenAnneNews.com
MARCH 18, 2026
Setting the Record Straight on Misconceptions About Technology Used by Seattle Police Department for Crime Prevention Bob Kettle Seattle City Council
F
irst of all, I want to say that I hear and understand the concerns voiced by community members over the use of technologies by SPD to assist in fighting crime, especially amidst the stories of federal immigration accessing ALPR systems that use Flock Safety. I want to be clear on this first point: Seattle does not contract with Flock Safety, the vendor at the center of many reports of unauthorized access by federal immigration. Some who do not support this technology cite a report conducted by the University of Washington Center for Human Rights – that research was done specifically on Flock networks, the findings which should not be generally applied to Seattle since we do not contract with Flock – an important distinction. Whether or not you support the use of this type of technology by police, I want to reiterate that I believe we all have the same goal: to keep the people of Seattle safe. On that note, there are other misconceptions that I have heard about Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology that I want to address. One is that ALPR cameras in Seattle will be put in sensitive areas such as hospitals, courts, schools, or houses of worship. The fact is that ALPR cameras are mounted on police vehicles, not on fixed posts. When patrol cars are on, ALPR is on – and cannot be turned off without turning off the in-car video system or the car itself. SPD will add cars when requested to sensitive locations, but ALPR cameras are not placed specifically at these locations by the city. Another misconception: that ALPR data can be accessed by the federal government. SPD only shares data with the federal government in matters of criminal enforcement, otherwise, a federal agency would need to subpoena the data. So far, there have been no subpoenas for Seattle’s ALPR data. Further, Public Disclosure Requests (PDRs) on ALPR information are subject to state records law. There are also many misconceptions about SPD’s Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) public space cameras program and the Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC): 1) CCTV does not deter violent crime. This point comes primarily from a 2019 study from CUNY. However, that same report also states that results of their review “based on 40 years of evaluation research – lend support for the continued use of CCTV to prevent crime as well as reveal a greater understanding of some of the key mechanisms of effective use.” In Seattle, the success of the city’s CCTV pilot project will be evaluated by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Crime and Justice
CRIME PREVENTION, 12
VOL. 107, NO. 12
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Brings Irish Spirit to the Waterfront Staff Report
S
eattle’s waterfront turned shades of green on Saturday, March 14, as the 55th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade marched along Alaskan Way for the first time. Spectators gathered along the revitalized waterfront route to watch pipe bands, Irish dancers, and festive floats celebrate Irish heritage and community. The free, family-friendly event ran along Alaskan Way, beginning near Pier 66 and continuing south toward the Seattle Great Wheel. Spectators lined the route as pipe bands, Irish dancers, and colorful floats made their way along the waterfront, celebrating Irish culture and community. The parade marked a significant change in location. For decades, the annual event had taken place along Fourth Avenue in downtown Seattle. This year’s move to the waterfront brought the celebration to one of the city’s newest public gathering spaces, offering sweeping views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains as a backdrop to the festivities. The parade is part of Irish Week, a series of cultural events hosted by the Irish Heritage Club of Seattle that celebrate Irish history, culture, and community connections throughout the region. Leading the parade as Grand Marshal was Seattle City Councilmember Bob Kettle, who was recognized for his longstanding support of Irish heritage and international partnerships. The selection of Kettle also reflected a milestone celebration this year: the 40th anniversary of the Seattle–Galway Sister City Association, which fosters cultural, academic, and economic ties between Seattle and Galway, Ireland. “We are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Seattle–Galway Sister City Association this year,” Kettle said. “Each year there is a celebration to include a luncheon, meetings, and of course the parade.” Kettle said he was honored to serve as grand marshal, noting both his professional
background and personal connections to Irish heritage. He is a great supporter of Irish heritage both personally and professionally. And is working to build the relationships beyond the cultural space to shared maritime, tech, and academic interests. A former naval diplomat and past board member of the World Affairs Council, Kettle emphasized the importance of strengthening international relationships through cultural exchange. “It was a great experience across the board because of the commitment of so many—particularly the Irish Heritage Club and the Seattle/ Galway Sister City Association,” he said. For Kettle, the honor also carried personal meaning.
“I was very honored to be asked and reflect the influences in my own life and especially that of my father,” he said. “We now build the relationship for the next 40 years.” The celebration continued throughout the weekend with the Irish Festival at the Seattle Center Armory, held March 14–15. The festival featured traditional music, dance performances, and cultural exhibits that highlighted the rich heritage of Ireland and its diaspora. Together, the parade and festival drew families, community groups, and visitors together in a vibrant display of culture and connection—proof that after 55 years, Seattle’s St. Patrick’s Day traditions remain as lively as ever.
Seattle Police Chief: Failure to Document ICE Actions Could Bring Discipline Randy Diamond The Center Square
S
eattle Police Chief Shon Barnes says that any police officer who violates the city’s new policy requiring documentation of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions, including video recording, will be subject to disciplinary proceedings. “This would be a violation of our policy, a violation of the law,” Barnes told the Seattle City Council’s Select Committee on Federal Administration and Policy on Thursday. “They could be placed on administrative leave per the [Seattle Police Officers Guild] collective bargaining agreement.” Barnes said what would happen to the officer ultimately would be based on a recommendation by the city Office of Police Accountability. He said he would offer an officer the chance to talk to him before making a final decision on any permanent discipline. Barnes has the power to fire police officers. The chief ’s testimony to the committee comes after the city council’s Tuesday approved a plan requiring the police department to document evidence of potentially unlawful acts by ICE agents during enforcement actions. The city council’s action follows an executive order by Seattle Mayor Katie Williams on Jan. 29 directing police to follow a set
protocol regarding any ICE enforcement actions that may take place in the city. Under the policy, police officers arriving on the scene of any federal enforcement action must start the video on their incar and body-worn video cameras, in addition to asking for identification from ICE agents to assure they are not impersonating law enforcement agents as part of gathering evidence for possible transmission to prosecutors. A spokeswoman for ICE declined to comment on the police chief ’s statements. But she repeated a statement made to The Center Square on Feb. 27 that the it will “not tolerate the obstruction of law efforts to enforce federal law enforcement policy.” The spokeswoman noted that federal officials have sued several jurisdictions over their lack of cooperation with ICE. The city’s new policy also calls for the installation of more than 650 signs prohibiting ICE staging and enforcement actions on city property.
Kent Loux, the new president of the Seattle Police Officer’s Guild, did not respond to an email seeking comment. But former president Mike Solan criticized Wilson’s executive order on X the day after she issued it. Barnes told the committee that the expectation of Seattle police officers after they arrive at the scene of an immigration enforcement action involves four things: “peacekeeping, de-escalation, rendering medical care, and documenting the incident.” He said while the city does not approve of ICE enforcement actions, Seattle has no power to stop them. The chief said he expects his officers to do what has been his mantra during his long career – “to do the right thing at the right time.