Bethune’s new mayor, LaDonna Brown, a Bethune native who grew up in the town, was sworn into office in December, beginning her four-year term. Brown, a longtime healthcare professional, brings more than 25 years of experience as a surgical nurse assistant to the role. Much of her career was spent at MUSC Health Kershaw Medical Center, followed by several years as a traveling surgical assistant working across the Southeast and as far away as Alaska and Seattle. Two years ago, Brown returned home, citing family ties and a desire to invest her time and energy in the community she came from. She said she is wholeheartedly committed to serving Bethune and its residents as the new mayor. “This isn’t something you can do halfway,” Brown said. “If you’re going to serve as mayor, you need to be here, listening and present.” Brown said her decision to run came after years

As technology continues to evolve, so do the tools used by law enforcement to protect communities. In the City of Camden, video surveillance cameras have become one of those tools—quietly working in the background to help deter crime, assist investigations, and improve public safety. To better understand how these cameras are used, we spoke with Camden Police Chief Jack Rushing and Captain Justin Dill, who shared insight into how the system works, where cameras are placed, and the safeguards in place to protect residents’ privacy. Camden’s camera program began about two and a half years ago, following an infrastructure grant related to water and sewer improvements. That grant allowed the city to include law-enforcement assistance tools, including surveillance cameras. Rushing mentioned other cities such as Columbia and Orangeburg, where these systems have been in place for many years and how effective these systems are when used responsibly. Camden initially installed