Residents press Renton council on police response, ALPR cameras and LGBT protections

Residents used the public-comment period at the Renton council meeting on June 15 to press elected officials on policing practices, the city’s pause of automatic license-plate-reader (ALPR) cameras and the need for clearer protections for LGBT residents.

Lesie Jensen told the council she lacked confidence that the Renton Police Department treated a reported violent threat as a "true threat," saying the responding officer described the incident as "First Amendment" speech. Jensen said that and a lack of follow-up had eroded trust and pressed the council for a clearer response and proof that ALPR cameras are off.

Daffany Baird cited comparative statistics she said show high rates of force and shootings in Renton compared with other departments and urged mandatory de-escalation training, expanded body-camera audits and protections for officers who report misconduct. Gabriel Welding, another commenter, said ALPR devices were active during recent incidents and argued the cameras had not helped solve crimes; he also described rapid deportation actions by ICE and asked the council to do more than attend photo-op events.

Gabriel Diaz urged the council to adopt LGBT protections after recent hate incidents, recounting episodes in which armed people harassed Pride events and a bar that still carries a bullet hole from an earlier attack.

Council response: Council Member Rivera said the Equity Commission had met with Police Chief John Schultz and, after discussion, the commission advised the council to consider lifting the ALPR pause; Rivera said the commission voted to support ALPR use while stressing alignment with community values. Multiple council members acknowledged constituent concerns and said they would follow up. The council also voted later in the meeting to direct staff to negotiate Ready K funding and to refer a separate ICE-related research question to the administration.

What remains unsettled: Commenters asked for visible proof the ALPR systems are inactive (for example, physically bagging cameras) and for clearer, timely responses from the police department when residents report threats. The transcript shows requests for follow-up and staff promised to return with information in committee or via administrative reports.