New York City is set to launch a pilot program aimed at improving safety in the city’s subway system by introducing gun detectors, according to an announcement made by Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) plans to implement new technology in select subway stations starting in late June. This initiative, announced by Adams and NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Cuban during a press conference on Thursday, aims to address the issue of shootings and violence within the city’s subway system.
The implementation of weapons detection technology is set to take place in late June, following a 90-day waiting period. During this time, the police will identify companies that offer this technology and assess its effectiveness. Adams has not revealed the specific subway stations that will be selected for the program.
During Thursday’s press conference at the Fulton Street Subway Station, Adams showcased a scanner provided by Evolv, a security technology company based in Massachusetts. The Associated Press reported that Evolv has been accused of manipulating its testing results.
“Ensuring the safety of New Yorkers on the subway and maintaining their trust in the system are crucial for upholding New York’s position as the safest big city in America,” Adams emphasized on Thursday. He further added, “Today’s announcement marks another milestone in our continuous endeavors to prevent the entry of dangerous weapons into our transit system and enhance mental health services for New Yorkers facing crisis situations.”
Multiple shootings have occurred on the subway system in New York City, prompting the authorities to take action. One incident involved a man who was critically injured after being shot with his own gun during an altercation on the subway. According to CBS New York, the man had entered a subway station in Brooklyn armed with a knife and a gun.
According to The AP, a fight between two groups on a rush-hour subway last month resulted in one person being killed and several others being injured.
According to the mayor’s office, the police confiscated a total of 1,515 weapons in the subway system last year. Out of these, 1,470 were cutting instruments, while 45 were illegal firearms. The mayor’s office described this as a significant increase compared to the previous year, when only 947 weapons were recovered.
Adams further revealed the city’s intention to increase the presence of outreach workers in subway stations in order to assist individuals with mental health issues who are experiencing homelessness and guide them towards proper treatment and care.
Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, Anne Williams-Isom, emphasized the importance of providing safety, stability, and community for individuals with untreated serious mental illness seeking refuge in the subway system. She acknowledged that the process may take time, but the crucial first step is connecting these individuals with the medical care they may not realize they require.
