Resolution 25-008 Security Camera PolicyCITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
SPOKANE COUNTY, WASHINGTON
RESOLUTION No. 25-008
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY, SPOKANE
COUNTY, WASHINGTON, IDENTIFYING THE ALLOWABLE USES AND
RETENTION FOR CITY SECURITY VIDEO RECORDS, AND OTHER
MATTERS RELATING THERETO.
WHEREAS, the City Council (Council) of the City of Spokane Valley (City) is dedicated to
providing a safe, secure, and thriving community for all residents and ensuring that public areas are safe
and secure for public use, all while recognizing and respecting the rights of individuals to their own private
matters, even while in those public spaces; and
WHEREAS, in order to provide a safe, secure, and thriving community and safe and secure public
spaces, the City utilizes and will utilize security cameras at its City facilities and City parks; and
WHEREAS, the Council desires to balance the needs of the City and the public in providing and
promoting public safety at its facilities through the use of security cameras with the privacy interests of
individuals by identifying how such security cameras will be used and the retention limits for security video
recordings.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Spokane Valley, Spokane
County, Washington as follows:
Section 1. Allowable Use of Security Cameras and Security Video Recordings. Security
cameras and security camera video recordings in and at City facilities and City parks shall only be used for
the following purposes and in the following manner:
A. Security cameras shall be placed in such a manner as to limit views of adjacent private
properties as feasible.
B. Security cameras and security camera video recordings at City facilities (other than traffic
cameras) and City parks shall be used by the City solely for public safety and security purposes.
For purposes of this Resolution, "public safety and security purposes" includes, but is not
limited to, those purposes (1) that deter crime, protect individuals using City facilities and City
parks from criminal acts, threats, violence, drugs, harassment, or similar activities, (2) for use
by first responders to respond to emergencies, (3) for use by local, state, and federal law
enforcement agencies and prosecutors for criminal investigation, prosecution, and similar valid
law enforcement purposes, (4) for civil claims by the City or to respond to and address
misconduct that does not result in criminal charges, (5) for valid City investigations and claims
regarding damage, graffiti, or vandalism to City facilities, City parks, and other City fixtures
or equipment, including for purposes of reporting such damage to appropriate law enforcement
agencies, City departments, staff, or contractors for clean-up, repair, or replacement, (6)
reporting to the City's insurance carrier for necessary claims, (7) for responding to claims
against the City, and (8) for responding to allegations of employee or elected official
misconduct. Security camera video feeds may be linked to real time viewing software for
public safety and security purposes.
C. Traffic cameras primary use is to manage traffic and so such cameras may be used for valid
traffic management purposes as well as for public safety and security purposes.
D. Nothing herein shall prevent the City from accessing video feeds as part of installation and
maintenance of the security cameras.
E. A record of all users who access security cameras and security cameras video recordings shall
be kept, whether automatically through video management software or otherwise.
Resolution 25-008 Regarding Use of Security Cameras
F. Security video recordings shall not be provided to any third party except (1) as part of any
required software or similar contract as part of the installation and maintenance of such
cameras, (2) as required to ensure public safety and security purposes pursuant to Section 1(B)
above, or (3) as may be otherwise required pursuant to law or lawful court order.
Section 2. Security Video Recording Retention.
A. Except as otherwise provided herein, security camera video recordings shall be stored and
retained for 30 days as required for the City to meet its obligations under chapter 40.14 RCW
and the State's adopted "Local Government Common Records Retention Schedule". In the
event that an event captured on a security camera video recording is needed for an active law
enforcement investigation, for an insurance claim by the City, or for a civil claim by the City,
the City shall place the necessary video in separate secure storage appropriate for the media.
Recordings used for investigation purposes shall be retained for the same time period as other
investigative records.
B. Security camera video recording shall be kept in a secure manner appropriate to the media and
may only be accessed by authorized staff for the purposes set forth in this Resolution.
Section 3. Severability. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Resolution should be
held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality
shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other section, sentence, clause or phrase of this
Resolution.
Section 4. Effective Date. This resolution shall be effective immediately upon passage and
signatures hereto.
Passed this 29th day of April, 2025.
Pam Haley, Mayor
ATTEST:
City Cl k, Marci Patterson
Approved As To Form:
the City
Resolution 25-008 Regarding Use of Security Cameras