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Police: Motorola body cameras now live; suspect arrested after Million Avenue shooting with multi‑agency response
Summary
The police chief reported the department is live on a new Motorola body camera system, finalized sale of surplus equipment, and credited interagency cooperation for the arrest of a suspect in a February 24 shooting on Million Avenue.
The New Ellenton Police Department reported new body cameras are active, provided routine call statistics since the prior meeting and described a multi‑agency response that led to the arrest of a suspect in a recent shooting.
The update is significant because the body camera system increases transparency and the department credited coordinated work with state and federal partners for the safe apprehension of a suspect, with no serious injuries reported.
A department spokesperson reported 27 incident reports and 82 calls for service since the council’s last meeting, including 32 mutual‑aid assists, 54 citations, 21 warnings and 3 arrests. The chief said, “we are now live on our new Motorola body camera system,” and described staff work to replace older units and improve audio/video quality.
The chief briefed the council on a February 24 shooting on Million Avenue. He praised assistance from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, ATF, US Marshals Service and the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, and described a tactical response that treated the situation as a possible barricaded subject until investigators could confirm otherwise. The chief said law enforcement ultimately located and took the suspect into custody the next day, and he was found in possession of the handgun used in the incident; investigators reported no serious injuries to civilians or officers, only minor abrasions during the arrest.
The department said one Verkada camera remains to be installed at Main Street pending shipment and a power meter; staff said IT coordination is required to bring the full camera network online and that they are exploring notifications tied to the system.
The chief also noted the sale of a 2018 tanker and pending sale of a ladder truck; proceeds will be used to reduce loan balances and replenish contingency accounts as part of routine fiscal management. The department discussed a planned citizens’ academy and encouraged council members to schedule ride‑alongs to observe daily operations.
