Three 19-year-olds have been arrested after two Flock Safety cameras were allegedly cut down and destroyed in Chester County, South Carolina, authorities said.
Blaze Fuller, Samuel Carlisle and James Ryerson were arrested and charged with criminal conspiracy and destruction of property in connection with the incident in the Edgemoor area, according to the Chester County Sheriff’s Office. The cameras went offline between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Aug. 15, prompting deputies to investigate. Authorities said they found that the cameras had been sawed down and burned.
According to an affidavit cited by local media, Carlisle and Ryerson allegedly cut down the cameras and struck them with a hammer until they caught fire. Fuller was accused of having a “tacit” agreement with the two to help damage the equipment.
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The arrests come as Flock Safety’s automated license plate reader technology faces growing scrutiny across the United States. The cameras are used by law enforcement agencies to capture license plates and other vehicle information, allowing police to investigate the movements of vehicles.
Supporters say the technology can help authorities locate stolen vehicles and missing people. Critics have raised concerns about privacy, surveillance and potential misuse of the systems.
Flock cameras have been vandalized in communities across the country amid the growing backlash. An NPR review found reports of cameras being sawed down, stolen, painted over and otherwise damaged in at least 36 states. The controversy has also prompted some communities to reconsider their contracts with Flock Safety.
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According to the advocacy group DeFlock, at least 100 cities have deactivated cameras or canceled contracts with the company. Flock Safety has defended its technology while acknowledging concerns about misuse. The company has introduced measures intended to restrict access when officers appear to be misusing the system.
The South Carolina arrests highlight the growing tension surrounding automated license plate readers, as law enforcement agencies continue to use the technology while privacy advocates and some residents call for greater oversight.