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Neighborhoods ask for surveillance cameras to help battle gun violence

SEATTLE, Wash. — Since early June, Seattle police officers have responded to 22 reports of shots fired from Rainier Valley to Capitol Hill.

One shooting claimed a life.

Even though homicides citywide are down, 38 people have been injured by gunfire in the first six months of 2015 compared with 29 during the same period last year.

Because of the surge in gun violence, members of Seattle's mostly African American community gathered at the First AME Church on 14th Avenue Thursday morning to call for increased safety measures, including surveillance cameras in high-crime areas.

“We are very concerned about what’s going on in the streets of our communities,” Pastor Carl Livingston of United Black Christian Clergy said.

Surveillance cameras have been used in Seattle before, but were soon removed because of privacy concerns.  A few were installed by the Seattle Police Department on Alki Avenue and elsewhere in 2012.

The SPD had planned an additional 30 cameras along the waterfront from Fauntleroy to Golden Gardens, but because of public outcry, the plan was scrapped and all cameras installed were quickly removed.

Now, community leaders in the neighborhoods plagued by recent gun violence want cameras as soon as possible.

“I get people’s privacy, but our lives are at stake,”  Pamela Banks, President and CEO of Seattle’s Urban League said at Thursday’s meeting.  “Our children’s lives are at stake and we have got to stop this violence.”

“We’re hearing from the community this time that they want cameras,” Mayor Ed Murray said.  “I think there’s a way to do this and protect people’s privacy.”

Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole added, “If the community is coming to us and are demanding cameras in high-crime neighborhoods, we need to be responsive.  We need to work with them.”

So far, there is no timeline for when any cameras would be installed, or a cost estimate.

Seattle police are looking for gunmen and a weapon they believe have been involved in 10 of the recent shootings.

Seattle Police are looking for gunmen & a weapon they believe have been involved in 10 recent shootings. If you recognize them, contact the SPD's violent crime tipline at 206-233-5000.

Posted by Amy Clancy on Thursday, July 16, 2015