Progressive Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson abruptly ended an interview after being pressed on her stance against surveillance cameras. Wilson, 43, was speaking with KOMO News reporter Chris Daniels on Friday when she was questioned about a shooting near a community event she had attended earlier in the week.
Daniels asked whether the incident had changed Wilson's stance on using cameras, which she was previously critical of, in areas with rising crime and gun violence. As Wilson began her response, a press handler stepped in to prevent her from continuing.
'Mayor Wilson, let's not do that,' he said, cutting off her answer. He also turned to Daniels and told him, 'I appreciate it but let's keep it on topic.' Daniels insisted that Wilson was 'about to answer the question' and added that 'it looks worse when you jump in like that'. The interview ended moments later, with the handler suggesting that 'maybe we can set up a different time' for the Democrat mayor to answer the question.
Wilson, a self-described socialist, had criticized the use of surveillance cameras in Seattle while running for mayor. 'Turning on more cameras won't magically make our neighborhoods safer,' she said on Instagram in September. 'But it will certainly make our neighbors more vulnerable.' Wilson added: 'As the Trump administration escalates its attacks on immigrants, trans people, and big cities in general, we need to prioritize safety, not surveillance.'
During the interview with Daniels, Wilson had initially been asked how she was doing after the shooting. 'I think it's a reminder of how much work we have to do as a city on gun violence, but I'm doing fine,' she said. The interview was derailed when Daniels subsequently asked Wilson whether the shooting had shifted her views on surveillance cameras. 'People in that community who are concerned that there's been rising gun violence and that there should be more surveillance cameras … does that change it?' Daniels asked.
After the back-and-forth with Wilson's press handler, Daniels was told he could 'maybe' arrange a follow-up with Sage Wilson, seemingly referring to the mayor's listed press contact. 'Sage hasn't returned phone calls all week,' Daniels replied.
Though Daniels' initial attempt to interview Wilson was abruptly halted, the reporter was eventually able to ask the Seattle mayor his question again. Wilson's answer said surveillance cameras had 'an important role to play in our public safety system' but urged caution about data practices and potential misuse. She also pointed to Seattle's plans to do a data and privacy audit before moving forward with expanding the use of surveillance cameras in the city.
Seattle is working with New York University's Policing Project to conduct a data governance and privacy audit that focuses on whether the surveillance cameras can potentially harm civil rights. However, Wilson acknowledged that new cameras would be installed in the Stadium District due to the upcoming FIFA World Cup this summer. Wilson said last month the cameras would be turned off 'unless we are aware of a credible threat which warrants such action.' 'For some people, seeing CCTV cameras in the neighborhood where they live or work or attend school makes them feel safer,' she said. 'For others, those same cameras make them feel less safe.'
Seattle police had responded Tuesday night to a shooting near a community event in which Wilson was announcing a plan for free breakfast to be introduced to Seattle Public Schools together with expanded childcare. No injuries were reported and no arrests have been made, according to KOMO News. Wilson was rushed to safety by her security team and police said the suspects fled in a dark-colored sedan. Afterwards, Wilson said her responsibility was 'to help create the conditions where all Seattle communities can live their lives without fear.'
That came after Wilson appeared to moderate her campaign's position on the surveillance cameras once she was elected as mayor. During her state of the city address in February, Wilson said she still had 'the concerns I expressed during the campaign about data security and how surveillance cameras could be abused to target vulnerable communities.' However, she added that she had 'also been moved by what I've heard from families and communities impacted by gun violence.' 'I understand how CCTV cameras have been a useful tool to solve crimes, and can reduce profiling and protect witnesses,' Wilson said. The Daily Mail has reached out to Wilson's office for further comment about her views on surveillance cameras.
