Wilson gives first 'State of the City' speech but no answers on one key question

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's first “State of the City” speech Tuesday was light on details or proposals — but did include a promise of coming legislation and a glimpse of how the mayor is weighing her first hard decision.

After some technical difficulties with audio and the teleprompter, and an acknowledgement of Black History Month, Wilson gave her longest speech yet on the campaign trail or in office, she said – about 40 minutes.

Speaking at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute in the Central District, she promised to introduce legislation to expand the number of homeless shelter beds available in the city in the coming weeks.

“I know that we have a big hill to climb, and dramatic changes will not happen overnight. But I am determined to add 1,000 new units this year with services matched to people's needs, and we are on our way to reach this goal,” Wilson said to cheers.

RELATED: Katie Wilson is officially Seattle's mayor. Her agenda: affordability, housing, and workers' rights

Wilson said about 4,000 people are sleeping outside in Seattle. The last two mayors have made promises to expand shelter and tiny house villages but struggled to meet the growing need.

Wilson did address the first tough choice she’s going to have to make as mayor: Her supporters are pushing her to stop the expansion of police cameras in Capitol Hill and around Garfield High School and the stadiums. Immigrant rights advocates worry the cameras could be accessed by federal authorities, but the expansion is supported by some businesses and parents at Rainier Beach High School, which lost two students to a shooting in January.

Wilson didn’t say whether she’d install the new cameras during her speech, but said she wanted to “get it right and not rush to a particular deadline.”

RELATED: Katie Wilson has big goals (and expectations) as Seattle's new mayor

“I continue to have the concerns that I expressed during the campaign about data security and how surveillance cameras could be abused to target vulnerable communities, and I have also been moved by what I've heard from families and communities impacted by gun violence,” she said. “I understand how CCTV cameras have been a useful tool to solve crimes and can reduce profiling and protect witnesses. These are both valid points of view that come from wanting the same thing: to be able to enjoy our neighborhoods and live our lives knowing that we will come home safe.”

Wilson didn’t give a timeline for her decision. Her hesitance to announce a commitment on the cameras has gotten her some sharp criticism from local left-wing media and a volunteer on her campaign.

Watch the entire speech on Seattle Channel.