By Tracy Sanders, Publisher
tracy@thewoodrufftimes.com
GREER, S.C. — Two Greer police officers have been terminated after an internal investigation found they violated the Greer Police Department’s policy governing the use of Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology, commonly known as the Flock Safety camera system.
According to a news release issued Tuesday by the City of Greer, Corporal Kareem Lynch was terminated on June 26, followed by Officer Sebastian Echeverry on June 29 after evidence confirmed they violated the department’s policy on the use of the technology.
Greer officials said the department’s policy, in place since January 2023, limits the use of the Flock system to “public safety related missions of the agency.” The city stated that misuse of the technology can result in disciplinary action.
After allegations were received, the Greer Police Department used Flock Safety’s AI Audit Assistance tool to review the department’s use of the platform. City Administrator Andrew Merriman said the audit confirmed the initial allegations, leading to the officers’ termination.
“The City of Greer takes seriously the responsibility to protect the life, safety, and privacy of our citizens, and we utilize the latest tools and technology to perform those duties,” Merriman said in the release.
The terminations have also been reported to the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, which will determine the future status of the officers’ law enforcement certifications.
What It Means for Woodruff
The announcement comes just weeks after The Woodruff Times reported on the installation of two Flock Safety cameras in Woodruff—one on West Georgia Street and another on Highway 101.
Those cameras are designed to capture license plate information and vehicle descriptions to assist law enforcement in locating stolen vehicles, finding missing persons, and investigating crimes. They are not used to issue speeding tickets or enforce traffic violations.
When the cameras were installed, some residents expressed concerns about privacy and how the information collected would be used. Greer’s announcement demonstrates why many law enforcement agencies have detailed policies governing access to the system and why accountability measures are considered important.
While there is no indication of any misuse involving Woodruff’s cameras, the Greer case highlights that the technology depends not only on the equipment itself but also on the policies, oversight, and ethical use by those authorized to access it.
As more communities across South Carolina adopt Flock Safety systems, the balance between public safety and protecting citizens’ privacy is likely to remain an ongoing topic of discussion.
