Matthew Detmer says he plans to sue the city of Simpsonville in district court. He says he was ejected from two city council meetings after attempting to speak. He has also protested the city's network of Flock Safety license plate cameras and says he's not backing down.
Detmer protested the cameras this week, according to FOX Carolina, telling the station he sees the devices every time he leaves his house and felt obligated to speak up. He said he attempted to address the council at two meetings, was withdrawn from the speaking roster both times, and was ultimately ejected. Detmer said he plans legal action against the city.
The Municipal Association of South Carolina has discussed the importance of clear rules and fairness in public-comment periods, according to its article. Whether Simpsonville's council followed its procedures in removing Detmer twice remains an open question, and it's likely to be central to whatever legal claims he ultimately files.
A Camera Network Rooted in a 2020 Purchase
Detmer has called Simpsonville's camera system a huge waste of city resources and funding, per the FOX Carolina report. The Simpsonville Police Department initially acquired its Flock ALPR cameras for $4,000 in 2020 and now operates a network of 10 of the devices within city limits, according to the Atlas of Surveillance.
Detmer also linked the cameras to community vandalism during his protest, the station's report notes. That claim echoes an incident elsewhere in the state: three 19-year-olds were arrested in Chester County in August after allegedly using a saw and hammer to destroy two Flock cameras until a battery pack exploded and caught fire, as reported by The Post and Courier.
Concerns Over AI, Human Error and Privacy
Beyond the removal from council meetings, Detmer voiced broader concerns about third-party overreach of privacy, the over-militarization of police, and the potential for human error and artificial intelligence mistakes within the Flock camera system, per the same account. He argued the technology is causing the public to slowly lose control over their public lives.
Those worries aren't unique to Simpsonville. In May, South Carolina privacy advocates appealed a state circuit court decision upholding the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division's centralized database, which collects and retains more than 100 million timestamped ALPR vehicle photos annually without explicit legislative authorization, according to The Policing Project. Detmer's forthcoming lawsuit against Simpsonville mirrors that wider statewide fight over mass surveillance.
State Lawmakers Respond
South Carolina lawmakers introduced S. 447 and H. 4013 during the current legislative session to set statewide statutory guardrails for ALPR usage, including visual verification requirements before traffic stops and 90-day data retention limits, per the South Carolina General Assembly. Critics argue that until such rules are enacted, the technology remains vulnerable to human error and overreach. Separately, the South Carolina Department of Transportation paused new ALPR installations on state roads, according to WRHI.
Vendor Changes and National Scrutiny
Flock Safety itself has adjusted its platform this year, shortening standard data retention from 30 days to seven and adding automated lockouts for user accounts showing abnormal search activity, a policy shift Hoodline has previously detailed.
FOX Carolina says it reached out to the city of Simpsonville for comment on Detmer's allegations, his removal from the council meetings, and the anticipated federal lawsuit. Whether Detmer's suit will ultimately allege First Amendment retaliation, Fourth Amendment privacy violations, or both remains unclear, and the city has not yet publicly responded to the specific claims.
