Resident alleges police brutality and lack of transparency during public comment

A resident used the public‑comment period at the May 14 Berkeley County Commission meeting to sharply criticize local law enforcement and the Sheriff's Office’s transparency.

Paul Butler, who introduced himself as a county resident, alleged the county has "a well‑deserved reputation of extreme brutality" toward Black, Brown and poor white residents and said law enforcement in the area "go around like they are the ones in charge." Butler said he watched a recent incident from his living room in which "a police fire team approached a vehicle and executed the man inside in less than 20 seconds," describing rapid gunfire that "lit up the area like a lightning storm." He also said the sheriff’s office website promises transparency that is not practically accessible.

Butler urged commissioners to consider alternatives to policing, arguing that money spent on law enforcement could be redirected toward social services that he said address root causes of distress and homelessness.

Commissioners did not take immediate action during the meeting; they moved to executive session later for personnel reasons and recessed. No county response to Butler’s allegations was recorded in the public portion of the meeting.

Context and limits: Butler’s remarks are a public comment and reflect his account and perspective as stated from the podium. The commission did not provide a response at the meeting and no independent investigation or corroboration was discussed on the public record.