New Yorkers’ sense of safety was undoubtedly shaken after news of last week’s Brooklyn subway shooting broke out. Thankfully, no one had life-threatening injuries, but of course people have expressed concern that a gunman was able to easily get through the turnstile and board a subway car.
Since then, when asked in recent press conferences about the possibility of installing some kind of device or metal detector that could identify a weapon being carried into the subway system, NYC Mayor Eric Adams expressed that his office was moving forward with research into a pilot program.
He said that his Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, Philip Banks, is conducting ongoing research and that details look “promising.”
“I’m excited about the technology that’s associated with keeping people safe,” the Mayor said during a press conference on Monday, April 18. “We want to make sure the technology is fool-proof…and, based on our preliminary reviews, it is extremely promising. As soon as we’re ready to announce and roll it out we’re going to let everyone know.”
I think New Yorkers are going to feel safe knowing that when they swipe their Metro Cards, we’re doing some type of check to make sure people are not carrying weapons on our systems.
Last week, the Mayor alluded to the possibility of installing this type of detector device in subway stations, though clarifying it wouldn’t be like “an airport model.” “Those are not the only models that are available,” he had said. “There are new models that are being used at ball games, ball parks, hospitals where you’re not stopping to go through your belongings. You’re simply walking through.”
Today he also said they were looking at three different kinds of devices, and when they’ve narrowed it down to one, they will announce it to the public.