NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced today, Thursday, March 28th, a pilot program that will bring firearm-detecting body scanners to NYC subway stations. The announcement comes amid a recent spike in subway crime.
According to Adams city officials will set up freestanding screeners using Evolv Technology’s weapons detection system that can spot and track guns to see how the system impacts normal commuter flow. The scanners will be rolled out first at the Fulton Street station.
Evolv Technology is already used at The Met, Lincoln Center, and CitiField.
Adams stated during a news conference:
I’m proud to announce that we are taking the next step forward in our ongoing efforts to make our subways even safer and ensure New Yorkers feel safer in the transit system.
The scanners won’t hit subway stations right away, however. Adams noted that, by law, the NYPD must first publish information on the new technology and then test it in order for them to be installed. There’s also a required 90-day waiting period before implementing the technology.
Facial recognition will not be a part of the scanning system.
Other safety measures that have recently been brought to the NYC subway system or are on their way include subway platform doors, mandatory bag checks performed by National Guard members, and bright LED lights, among others.