As part of an initiative to reduce underwater crime and enhance safety perceptions, New York City officials unveiled a trial program to deploy portable weapon scanners in the subway system on Thursday.
The scanners are expected to be implemented at specific stations following a legally required 90-day waiting period, as stated by Mayor Eric Adams.
Mayor Adams emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of New Yorkers on the subway and upholding trust in the system to maintain New York City’s status as the safest major city in the United States. To support individuals with mental health challenges residing in the system, additional outreach workers will be stationed at metro stations.
In collaboration with local businesses, city officials may seek expertise in weapons detection technology to facilitate the installation of scanners in select subway stations. This initiative aims to enable the NYPD to conduct more comprehensive assessments of the equipment’s efficacy.
During a press conference in lower Manhattan, Mayor Adams and law enforcement officers introduced a sensor provided by Evolv, a publicly traded company. However, Evolv is currently under scrutiny by both the industry regulatory authorities and major financial regulators for alleged manipulation of software testing results to exaggerate the effectiveness of its devices.
Evolv claims that its concealed weapon detection systems utilize safe electromagnetic fields and advanced sensors to identify potential threats.
Despite the benefits of gun detection systems, Jerome Greco, the supervising attorney for the legal aid society’s digital forensics unit, expressed concerns about false alarms and heightened anxiety caused by such technology. Greco criticized the administration’s heavy reliance on technology, citing privacy concerns and substantial costs associated with these measures.
Mayor Adams assured that the city would independently evaluate the accuracy of the scanners to address any skepticism or negative experiences associated with the technology. He emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough analysis to assess the scanners’ performance.
While the exact locations for scanner deployment remain undisclosed, a demonstration at the Fulton Street station triggered an alert when a police officer carrying a holstered gun passed through, contrasting with the silent response to officers with cellphones and electronic devices.
Although violent incidents in the subway system are infrequent considering its vast daily ridership of approximately 3 million individuals, recent high-profile shooting incidents have raised concerns. To address safety issues, the city witnessed a fatal altercation in March and a shooting incident resulting in injuries and casualties.
In response to safety challenges, New York City officials announced plans to deploy an additional 800 police officers in the subway system to combat fare evasion. Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Chair and CEO, Janno Lieber, reported that the NYPD had confiscated 17 firearms from individuals in the system earlier this year before the recent surge in police presence.
