The authorities of New York are implementing a new initiative to increase the safety of citizens by testing an Ai system that can detect firearms. Special scanners will be installed on the turnstiles of the metro stations as part of this plan.
Mayor Eric Adams stated that New York has entered into a partnership agreement with Massachusetts, which has developed similar technologies. These scanners, equipped with powerful sensors, are already in use in schools, stadiums, and cultural facilities across the country.
Following an incident of shooting in a metro car in Brooklyn in 2022, Mayor Adams temporarily installed the Evolv scanner at the entrance to the city hall building. Additionally, a pilot project was conducted using Evolv scanners in a Bronx hospital after a man was wounded in the waiting room.
The announcement of this initiative comes a week after a conflict at a Brooklyn metro station where a man was injured after attempting to pass a gun to another passenger.
The pilot program is set to start in 90 days, in accordance with the law that requires the New York police department to disclose information about surveillance technologies used and publish reports evaluating their impact and usage procedures. The city will also explore other options from various suppliers.
Evolv scanners, which resemble ordinary metal detectors, are equipped with advanced sensors and software to identify threats, claiming to be able to detect various types of weapons, from firearms to homemade explosive devices. However, there are doubts about the effectiveness of this technology, as it has been known to mistakenly identify harmless objects as dangerous and miss real firearms.
Evolv has attracted scrutiny from regulatory authorities, with investigations launched by the Federal Trading Commission and the US Securities and Exchange Commission to determine if the company has misrepresented data on the effectiveness of their products. Investors have also filed a collective lawsuit against Evolv, alleging that the developers misled the public, customers, and shareholders about the capabilities of their products.
Despite the criticism, the New York authorities maintain that modern technologies are necessary to enhance the city’s security. Mayor Adams emphasized the importance of such a system in preventing tragedies and ensuring the safety of citizens.