Bennettsville City Hall closed to public, on high alert after threats

BENNETSVILLE, SC (WPDE) — According to Bennettsville City Manager William Simon, Bennettsville City Hall will remain closed until further notice following a series of incidents, including threats.

However, officials said the drive-thru will remain open during regular business hours.

A message on the city’s Facebook page said the city was taking additional security measures “in light of recent events and to ensure the utmost caution for our employees.”

ABC15 reached out to Simon for more information after dozens of community members asked us to investigate the situation further.

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Simon said the building was cordoned off because a large knife was found in a conspicuous location a few inches from the building this morning.

He added that he received a threat after Bennettsville Police Chief Kevin Miller filed a lawsuit against the city.

“This action, coupled with the recent threat I received this week since Chief Miller’s lawsuit was filed. The caller accused me of wanting to fire the Chief.”

Simon said he was also called a derogatory racist name and the person wished him death.

We also received a few aggressive calls to City Hall last week. I filed an official report with the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office, who referred the case to SLED,” Simon said. “We are on high alert and I am receiving security from ‘some’ individuals within the police department. We will work with SLED as we scour video and maintain a security presence to protect staff. We hope to open the building to the public soon and apologize for any inconvenience.

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A copy of the incident report filed by Simon with the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office states:

On May 28, 2024, a man named William Charles Simon Jr. entered the sheriff’s office and wanted to file a report.

Simon is the Borough Administrator for the City of Bennettsville and said he has a recording of a threat received on City Hall’s voicemail line after business hours.

Simon stated that on May 26, 2024, at approximately 9:01 p.m., after office hours, a voicemail was received at City Hall and that he had a recording of that voicemail.

Simon stated that although the voicemail was received on the above date and time, it was retrieved this morning, 05/28/2024, at around 9:00 a.m.

Simon played the voicemail for the officers and also had the phone number from which the voicemail was received.

The voicemail said, and I quote, “Since he does not have a direct line, you can pass this on to Mr. William Simon, he is a damn bungler from the city government trying to take down this boss. He is considered what I call a useless (expletive) and I will pray to my God in heaven to evict him because he is a worthless piece of shit.”

Simon explained that he viewed this as a threat and wanted a report on file due to ongoing conflicts.

ABC15 will keep you updated on the development of the situation and will let you know the result as soon as we have it.