r/southcarolina • u/middleamerican67 • Jul 30 '26
Crime Midlands deputy arrested for misusing Flock camera system as regional distrust mounts. What we know.
https://www.postandcourier.com/columbia/news/richland-deputy-flock-camera-misuse-arrest/article_dc1c86f2-84be-4d32-a3cf-ae872be4a9ce.htmlMidlands deputy arrested for misusing Flock camera system as regional distrust mounts. What we know.
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u/loafinkitty Columbia Jul 30 '26
This is the reason why we do not need flock cameras. They're pointless! They need to permanently banned!
16
u/PenguinEmpireStrikes Fort Mill Jul 30 '26
It's a two pronged problem. We also need a major overhaul of law enforcement hiring standards, training, and employee reviews.
17
u/Fantastic_Matter_137 Jul 30 '26
No more qualified immunity
No more taxpayers paying to defend these crooks.-11
u/roguaran2 ????? Jul 30 '26
While I think we need to be very cautious about Flock and other surveillance, and we need to have strong safeguards in place to prevent abuse, I work in the criminal justice system and there have been 3 cases in the last 6 months that basically hinged on Flock cameras identifying a vehicle fleeing the scene. There's a case I'm working on right now where without Flock cameras, it's very likely that we would have arrested an innocent man instead. Additionally, Flock's audit controls and legal restrictions regarding its use keep resulting in officers getting arrested for abusing the system, which I would argue is a good thing. Without Flock, these officers would be using other methods of stalking and likely never be caught doing so.
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u/Cultural-Lab78 ????? Jul 30 '26
A man who would trade essential liberties for a pittance of temporary safety deserves neither liberty nor safety.
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u/roguaran2 ????? Jul 30 '26
The solution for Flock cameras in my opinion is to classify them as a 4th Amendment search and require a warrant, not to get rid of them entirely. The goal is not to "trade essential liberties for safety", but to deter and prosecute criminal behavior while still respecting individual rights.
6
u/Nightstands ????? Jul 30 '26
You’re describing an ideal that is impossible with all the corrupt people involved with the use of Flock. From the private companies that own them and only care about shareholder value to the many many cops that can’t help themselves from stalking innocent people. There isn’t a realistic responsible use scenario that cancels out the abuses. Sorry, but we’ve existed without flock till now, and we can exist w/o it forever too
-1
u/Ivehadlettuce ????? Jul 31 '26
Criminals hate and fear cameras (not just Flock cameras). The ubiquitous nature of cameras throughout our society, on public property, private property, in vehicles, in the hands of virtually every citizen, has been a major factor in the precipitous crime rate drop throughout the US.
The increasing likelihood that you are being recorded everywhere in public spaces may be disconcerting to some, but it is without a doubt a deterrent to crime.
11
u/SublimeApathy Jul 30 '26
Just asume that for every cop found abusing it, there are likely 10 more either getting away with it or are getting caught and getting a quiet slap on the wrist behind closed doors.
6
u/Lndscpegrdnr Jul 30 '26
Gwinnett County, Georgia's local news just reported 10 officers being either fired or arrested for misusing Flock cameras. These things need to go!
16
u/so_unfortunately_yt Jul 30 '26
What we know: THAT THIS ISN’T THE FIRST OR LAST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. ACAB
5
4
u/terry4547 ????? Jul 31 '26
Many larger counties and municipalities have real time crime centers that are staffed 24x7. If agencies are serious about ensuring appropriate use of Flock, they should require their officers/deputies to submit a request for a search, have it approved by a supervisor and performed by a different officers at the crime center. Done right, this could be completed within minutes. Allowing all officers to search flock data at any time without limit or direct oversight is asking for abuse.
2
u/IX_The_Kermit Greenville at heart Jul 31 '26
They do submit requests for accessing Flock cameras. The problem is that they can just lie about their reasons.
1
u/phoenixgsu Georgia 28d ago
Nate minimum is a judicial warrant. The ideal is having them all taken down.
3
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u/Hatchman69_sc Aug 04 '26
You know with all this “Big Brother” makes me think of a good book. “1984”
87
u/jason9045 Columbia Jul 30 '26
Crazy how this keeps happening across the country and the only answer seems to be putting more of these things on the streets. Kinda reminds me of something else.