Technologies Under Review
The final drafts for Group One* have been submitted and approved by City Council.
The final drafts for Group Two have been submitted and approved by City Council.
The final drafts for Group Three have been submited and approved by City Council.
The final drafts for Group 4A have been submitted and approved by City Council.
The final drafts for Group 4B have been submitted and approved by City Council.
For more information on the Surveillance Ordinance click here.
Technologies
Automated License Plate Readers (Police)
ALPRs are computer-controlled, high-speed camera systems mounted on parking enforcement or police vehicles that automatically capture an image of license plates that come into view and converts the image of the license plate into alphanumeric data that can be used to locate vehicles reported stolen or otherwise sought for public safety purposes and to enforce parking restrictions.
View Summary Watch Review View Full Report View Policy Appendix
Closed Circuit Televsion "Traffic Cameras" (Transportation)
SDOT has cameras installed throughout the City to monitor congestion, incidents, closures, and other traffic issues. The technology provides the ability to see roads, providing engineers with the necessary information to manage an incident and identify alternate routes. Every camera is available for live viewing by the public via our Traveler Information Web Map. The video is not archived.
Emergency Scene Cameras (Fire)
Photos at incidents (not retained after transmission per department policy) are collected as part of the investigation and documentation of emergency responses and may include photographs of identifiable individuals and property.
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Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Cameras (Fire)
This wireless system transmits pictures related to hazardous materials sites to document and identify clean up and management requirements.
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License Plate Readers (Transportation)
License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras are a specialized CCTV camera with built in software to help identify and record license plates on vehicles. Travel times are generated by collecting arrival times at various checkpoints and matching the vehicle license plate numbers between consecutive checkpoints.
Parking Enforcement (including ALPR) (Police)
Several applications are linked together to comprise the enforcement system and used with ALPR for issuing parking citations. This is in support of enforcing the Scofflaw Ordinance SMC 11.35.
View Summary Watch Review View Full Report View Policy Appendix
Meetings
Public comment for police technologies
View Presentation Watch Meeting
Public comment for fire and transporation technologies
View Presentation Watch Meeting
Translated Reports
English
(Korean) 한국어 -감시 자료
(Mandarin- Simplified) 简化字中文
(Cantonese - traditional) 繁體中文
(Somali) Somali
(Tagalog) Tagalog
(Vietnamese) Tiếng Việt
(Spanish) Español
Automated License Plate Readers (Police)
ALPRs are computer-controlled, high-speed camera systems mounted on parking enforcement or police vehicles that automatically capture an image of license plates that come into view and converts the image of the license plate into alphanumeric data that can be used to locate vehicles reported stolen or otherwise sought for public safety purposes and to enforce parking restrictions.
View Summary Watch Review View Full Report View Policy Appendix
Closed Circuit Televsion "Traffic Cameras" (Transportation)
SDOT has cameras installed throughout the City to monitor congestion, incidents, closures, and other traffic issues. The technology provides the ability to see roads, providing engineers with the necessary information to manage an incident and identify alternate routes. Every camera is available for live viewing by the public via our Traveler Information Web Map. The video is not archived.
Emergency Scene Cameras (Fire)
Photos at incidents (not retained after transmission per department policy) are collected as part of the investigation and documentation of emergency responses and may include photographs of identifiable individuals and property.
View Summary Watch Review View Full Report
Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Cameras (Fire)
This wireless system transmits pictures related to hazardous materials sites to document and identify clean up and management requirements.
View Summary Watch Review View Full Report
License Plate Readers (Transportation)
License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras are a specialized CCTV camera with built in software to help identify and record license plates on vehicles. Travel times are generated by collecting arrival times at various checkpoints and matching the vehicle license plate numbers between consecutive checkpoints.
Parking Enforcement (including ALPR) (Police)
Several applications are linked together to comprise the enforcement system and used with ALPR for issuing parking citations. This is in support of enforcing the Scofflaw Ordinance SMC 11.35.
View Summary Watch Review View Full Report View Policy Appendix
Meetings
Public comment for police technologies
View Presentation Watch Meeting
Public comment for fire and transporation technologies
View Presentation Watch Meeting
Translated Reports
English
(Korean) 한국어 -감시 자료
(Mandarin- Simplified) 简化字中文
(Cantonese - traditional) 繁體中文
(Somali) Somali
(Tagalog) Tagalog
(Vietnamese) Tiếng Việt
(Spanish) Español
911 Logging Recorder (Police)
System providing networked access to the logged telephony and radio voice recordings of the 911 center.
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Acylica (Transportation)
Acyclica devices are in street furniture throughout the City and determine real time vehicle travel times in the City corridor by identifying WiFi-enabled devices in vehicles, such as smart phones, traveling between multiple sites. The identifying information is anonymized. Additionally, the data is deleted within 24 hours to prevent tracking devices over time.
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Binoculars / Spotting Scope (City Light)
The spotting scope is used to read meters from a distance when direct access to the meter is obstructed. Scopes are used by SCL's Current Diversion team to conduct investigations. Use of this technology may occur without informing a domicile's resident(s).
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Check Meter Device (City Light)
This device measures the total amount of power being consumed at a service location where current diversion is confirmed or suspected. The device is set at the transformer and is used when a prolonged reading is desired by the Current Diversion team. Use of this technology may occur without informing a domicile's resident(s).
View Summary Watch Review View Full Report
Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) (Fire)
Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) is used to initiate public safety calls for service, dispatch, and to maintain the status of responding resources in the field. It is used by 911 dispatchers as well as by officers using mobile data terminals (MDTs) in the field. Use is opt-in, but individuals may enter personally-identifying information about third-parties without providing notice to those individuals.
View Summary Watch Review View Full Report
Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) (Police)
CAD is used to initiate public safety calls for service, dispatch, and to maintain the status of responding resources in the field. It is used by 911 dispatchers as well as by officers using mobile data terminals (MDTs) in the field.
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CopLogic (Police)
System allowing individuals to submit police reports on-line for certain low-level crimes in non-emergency situations where there are no known suspects or information about the crime that can be followed up on. Use is opt-in, but individuals may enter personally-identifying information about third-parties without providing notice to those individuals.
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SensorLink AmpFork (City Light)
The SensorLink Amp Fork is used by SCL's Current Diversion team to measure the load on line-side entrance conductors, allowing SCL to determine the total amount of power being consumed at a service location. This tool provides an instantaneous reading to the group conducting the investigation. Use of this technology may occur without informing a domicile's resident(s).
View Summary Watch Review View Full Report
Meetings
Public comment for group 2 technologies
View Presentation Watch Meeting
Translated Materials
English
Chinese (Cantonese) - 繁體中文
Chinese Mandarin - 简体中文
Korean - 한국어
Somali - af Soomaali
Spanish - Español
Tagalog
Vietnamese - Tiếng Việt
Forward Looking Infrared Real-time video (FLIR) (Police)
This technology provides a platform for aerial photography and digital video of large outdoor locations (e.g., crime scenes and disaster damage, etc.)
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Video Recording Systems (Police)
These systems record events that take place in a Blood Alcohol Collection (BAC) Room, precinct holding cells, interview, and lineup rooms.
Situational Awareness Cameras Without Recording (Police)
Portable cameras that allow officers to observe around corners or other areas during operations where officers need to see the situation before entering an area of concern.
Meetings
Public Engagement event for Group 3 technologies
View Presentation Watch Meeting
Translated Materials
Audio Recording Systems (Police)
A hidden microphone to audio record individuals without their knowledge. The microphone is either not visible to the subject being recorded or is disguised as another object. Used with search warrant or signed Authorization to Intercept (RCW 9A.73.200).
I2 iBase (Police)
The I2 iBase crime modeling and analysis tool allows for displaying complex information and relationships.
Callyo (Police)
This tool is used in undercover investigations to collect evidence. Callyo allows SPD to pursue resolution of criminal investigations safely and expeditiously. Audio recording devices are utilized only after legal standards of consent and/or court-issued warrant have been met, as required by the Washington Privacy Act, Chapt. 9.73 RCW.
Maltego (Police)
This tool is used in online investigations for finding relationships between pieces of information from various sources located on the internet.
Meetings
Public Engagement Event 1
Scheduled: 6/10/2021
View Presentation Watch Meeting
Public Engagement Event 2
Scheduled: 7/20/2021
View Presentation Watch Meeting
Translated Materials
Chinese (Cantonese) - 繁體中文
Chinese Mandarin - 简体中文
Korean – 한국어
Spanish - Español
Tagalog
Vietnamese - Tiếng Việt
Group 4b - 2023
Tracking Devices (Police)
A hidden tracking device carried by a moving vehicle or person that uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) to determine and track the precise location. U.S. Supreme Court v. Jones mandated that these must have consent or a search warrant to be used.
Remotely Operated Vehicles (Police)
Non-recording ROVs/robots used by Arson/Bomb Unit to safely approach suspected explosives, by Harbor Unit to detect drowning victims, vehicles, or other submerged items, and by SWAT in tactical situations to assess dangerous situations from a safe, remote location.
Computer, cellphone and mobile device extraction tools (Police)
Forensic tools used with consent of phone/device owner or pursuant to a warrant to acquire, decode, and analyze data from smartphones, tablets, portable GPS device, desktop and laptop computers.
Crash Data Retrieval (Police)
Tool that allows a Collision Reconstructionist investigating vehicle crashes the opportunity to image data stored in the vehicle’s airbag control module. This is done for a vehicle that has been in a crash and is used with consent or search warrant.
GeoTime (Police)
Geospatial analysis tool that allows the visual analysis of events over time, using geodata procured during criminal investigations. The data used for analysis is obtained by investigators under the execution of court-ordered warrants.
Camera Systems (Police)
Covert camera systems that capture images and video.
Meetings
Public Engagement Event 1
Date: April 27, 2022 3:00-4:30 pm PST
View Presentation Watch Meeting
Public Engagement Event 2
Scheduled: May 18, 2022 3:00 - 4:30 pm PST
View Presentation Watch Meeting
Translated Materials
Chinese (Cantonese) - 繁體中文
Chinese Mandarin - 简体中文
Korean – 한국어
Spanish - Español
Tagalog
Vietnamese - Tiếng Việt