(Fox5 New York) After a week of several high-profile violent attacks inside New York City’s subway system, the city announced its gun scanner pilot program.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban detailed their plan to implement gun detectors underground.
“There’s no place for guns and weapons on our transit systems,” Adams said.
Adams said the weapon detection program will roll out in late June after the 90-day waiting period (The POST Act) ends.
The first 45 days will be used for community feedback. The last 45 days the city says will be used to make any suggested changes to the program.
The mayor also announced the implementation of SCOUT clinicians to act as mental health liaisons within the subway system in order to prevent crimes.
As far as when and where these systems would be deployed, the mayor said they would refer to subway crime statistics to determine which stations to put them.
“We’re going to start out with a few,” Adam said.
When it comes to funding, the mayor said the city would eventually look to the federal government for funding.
Many have voiced concerns over privacy, but the mayor says the scanner will not use facial recognition technology.
“We understand New Yorkers value their privacy, we understand that we must be transparent on how this technology is used, and we’re going to do that,” Adams said.
How do the gun detectors work?
Evolv gun detectors has declined an interview with FOX 5 NY, but gave information on a handout video of the “Express” devices used in Georgia — inside the entrance to the Georgia Aquarium and outside the entrances to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Evolv claims that if no one is carrying anything suspicious — for example, a pressure cooker or a firearm or a part of a firearm — then it won’t go off.
