A security camera on Spartanburg's River Birch Trail was intentionally damaged over the weekend, and police are now asking the public to help identify a person spotted riding a motorized bike nearby who may know something about it.
According to the WYFF, nearby cameras captured footage of the rider, and Spartanburg police released a photo showing a timestamp of 6:31 p.m. on Friday, October 9. Investigators have not said whether the person in the image is considered a suspect or simply a potential witness, but police are urging anyone who recognizes the individual or has information about the vandalism to contact the Spartanburg Police Department.
The 1.9-mile Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail is a paved path built on a former Norfolk Southern Railroad corridor that links downtown Spartanburg to surrounding neighborhoods and commercial areas, according to PAL Spartanburg. The trail forms a key segment of the larger 55-mile Daniel Morgan Trail System, known locally as “The Dan,” which the City of Spartanburg and the nonprofit PAL have developed to connect parks, neighborhoods, and commercial hubs across the county, per the same organization.
Why the Cameras Went Up in the First Place
Police said in a social media post that the trail cameras help protect the safety of people who use the greenway. That context helps explain why police are treating the damage as more than a simple equipment failure — it affects a safety measure intended to protect trail users.
Police said the rail trail is a valuable community resource and that the cameras help protect the safety of people who use it, framing the vandalism as something that affects the entire community rather than just the equipment itself. Officers urged anyone with information to speak up to help keep the trails safe, the same message echoed by Spartanburg police in their public statement.
A High-Traffic Stretch With a History of Targeted Vandalism
The trail has an access point near South Pine Street, with the Subaru of Spartanburg Bike Park and several restaurants nearby, according to PAL Spartanburg. A sculpture was reported missing from downtown Spartanburg in January 2019, the Washington Times reported.
South Carolina law includes a chapter on offenses against property, according to Justia Law.
Surveillance Network and a Growing Business Corridor
Spartanburg also has a Real-Time Crime Center.
The Post and Courier reports that Ciclops Cyderi and Brewery relocated near Flock Shop. Hoodline previously reported on Dagwood Social moving into Ciclops's old spot this fall. That commercial momentum has only heightened public interest in keeping the greenway safe as more visitors and businesses rely on it.
For now, investigators are relying on the public to help close the gap, asking anyone who recognizes the person photographed on the motorized bike to come forward.
