{"id":2310217,"date":"2024-07-27T13:22:02","date_gmt":"2024-07-27T17:22:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2310217"},"modified":"2024-07-27T13:25:17","modified_gmt":"2024-07-27T17:25:17","slug":"new-york-city-turns-to-ai-powered-scanners-in-push-to-keep-guns-out-of-the-subway-system-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-york-city-turns-to-ai-powered-scanners-in-push-to-keep-guns-out-of-the-subway-system-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"New York City turns to AI-powered scanners in push to keep guns out of the subway system &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">40<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fnew-york-city-turns-to-ai-powered-scanners-in-push-to-keep-guns-out-of-the-subway-system-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2310217&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>New York City is\u2063 initiating a \u2062pilot program using AI-powered scanners to detect \u2063guns and knives in its subway\u2063 system. The\u200d trial, announced\u200d by Mayor Eric Adams, is set to run for 30 days\u2062 and takes place at a lower \u2062Manhattan station. The\u2064 Evolv scanners,\u200d which resemble \u200dsleek weapons detectors,\u200b aim \u200bto enhance safety despite\u2062 skepticism from some riders and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-reinstates-ban-on-evicting-renters-threatens-landlords-with-jail-time-up-to-250k-fines\/\" title=\"Biden Reinstates Ban On Evicting Renters; Threatens Landlords With Jail Time, Up To 0k Fines\">potential legal challenges<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cnn-biden-admin-considering-using-private-firms-to-conduct-warrantless-surveillance-of-u-s-citizens\/\" title=\"CNN: Biden Admin Considering Using Private Firms To Conduct Warrantless Surveillance Of U.S. Citizens\">civil liberties advocates<\/a>, who argue that the searches may\u200b <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/christian-student-wins-in-supreme-court-after-college-blocked-him-passing-out-flyers\/\" title=\"Christian Student Wins In Supreme Court After College Blocked Him Passing Out Flyers\">violate constitutional rights<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Mayor Adams\u2062 supports the technology, emphasizing the importance of public safety and\u200b stating that many subway riders prefer the use of scanners to deter firearms. The scanners are\u2064 intended \u2064for experimental\u200d use \u2062and are not yet under contract \u200bwith \u200bthe city. They will only be implemented at a limited number of \u200cstations, and not all riders will be screened. The system is designed to differentiate between\u2062 weapons and common items \u2064like phones \u200cto \u200dstreamline the process.<\/p>\n<p>However, concerns arise regarding the practicality and constitutionality of\u2063 the scanners, with civil \u200brights groups\u2064 pledging to sue should the program \u2062expand. Additionally, some\u2064 riders question the feasibility of screening\u2063 millions of\u2064 commuters and suggest that increasing\u2063 police presence \u2064on platforms may be a more effective solution \u200dto safety issues.<\/p>\n<p>Statistical data indicate a decline in subway crime, suggesting\u200b that violent incidents are becoming increasingly rare. Critics argue the scanners may not effectively address the root causes of safety \u200bconcerns. The CEO of Evolv\u200d himself noted that \u2064subways might not be the ideal setting for such technology due to their complex structure\u2062 and \u2063the large volume of\u200d passengers. The program reflects ongoing efforts to enhance \u2062security while navigating \u2062the \u2063challenges of\u2062 civil\u2062 liberties \u2062and \u200doperational practicality.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">New York City turns to AI-powered scanners in push to keep guns out of the subway system<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1714813\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>NEW YORK (AP) &mdash;<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/New-York-City\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>New York City<\/a> is turning to AI-powered scanners&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/nyc-subway-gun-scanners-fb22efbc2a5fd56b02fd6b2d95d75255\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>in a new bid<\/a>&nbsp;to keep guns out of its subway system, but the pilot program launched Friday is already being met with skepticism from riders and the threat of a lawsuit from civil liberties advocates who say the searches are unconstitutional.<\/p>\n<p>The Evolv scanner &mdash; a sleek-looking weapons detector using artificial intelligence to search riders for guns and knives &mdash; was on display at a lower Manhattan subway station where Mayor <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Eric-Adams\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Eric Adams<\/a> announced the 30-day trial.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is good technology,&rdquo; Adams said at Fulton Center near the World Trade Center.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Would I rather that we don&rsquo;t have to be scanned? Yes,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;But if you would speak to the average subway rider, they would state that they don&rsquo;t want <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/guns\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>guns<\/a> on their subway system, and if it means using scanners, then bring the scanners on.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Adams, a self-described &ldquo;tech geek,&rdquo; has stressed that the scanners are still in the experimental phase. The machines, already in use at baseball stadiums and other venues, will be deployed to a small number of stations and only a fraction of riders will be asked to step through them. The city has not entered into a contract with Evolv, and Adams said other companies were welcomed to pitch their own gun-detection innovations.<\/p>\n<p>The scanners, about 6 feet tall, feature the logo of the city&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/police\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>police<\/a> department and a multicolor light display. When a weapon is detected, an alert is sent to a tablet monitored by a pair of NYPD officers. The system is not supposed to alert everyday items, such as phones and laptops &mdash; though a reporter&rsquo;s iPad case set it off Friday.<\/p>\n<p>The scanners drew immediate protest from civil liberties advocates. The New York Civil Liberties Union and the Legal Aid Society said they would sue the city if the technology is rolled out widely, alleging the searches violated the constitutional rights of riders.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;City officials have admitted that these scanners are primarily to combat some riders&rsquo; &lsquo;perceptions&rsquo; that they are unsafe on the subway &mdash; this is not a justifiable basis to violate the Constitution,&rdquo; said NYCLU attorney Daniel Lambright.<\/p>\n<p>The scanners also spurred concerns from riders who said it isn&rsquo;t practical or plausible to subject millions of commuters to security screenings.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not going to work,&rdquo; said Dre Thomas, 25, shaking his head at the device. &ldquo;It&rsquo;d have to be at every point in the subway. I don&rsquo;t see how that&rsquo;s possible. It seems to me like another way to waste <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/taxpayers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>taxpayer<\/a> money.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Wyatt Hotis, 29, said he thought the scanners were a good idea but &ldquo;not the root of the issue&rdquo; when people getting pushed onto the tracks were a bigger safety concern. Hotis instead suggested adding guardrails and barriers to the platforms, along with more officers to patrol them.<\/p>\n<p>Margaret Bortner, among the first riders to go through the scanner, described the 30-second process as painless &mdash; but didn&rsquo;t see the need to have them at every station.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There are more important things officers should be doing,&rdquo; she said.<\/p>\n<p>Though there have been high-profile incidents, like&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/brooklyn-subway-shooting-fef3cd9b41a50cfca639897baa52e382\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>a 2022 shooting<\/a>&nbsp;on a Brooklyn train that left 10 people wounded, crime in the New York City subway system has fallen in recent years. Overall, violent crime in the system is rare, with train cars and stations being generally as safe as any other public place.<\/p>\n<p>So far this year, subway crime is down 8% through July 21 compared with the same period in 2023, according to police data. Last year, there were five killings in the subway, down from 10 the year prior, according to police.<\/p>\n<p>Adams has long discussed the possibility of adding weapons detectors to the subway system. He suggested this week that &ldquo;eventually, every turnstile is going to be able to identify if someone is carrying a gun,&rdquo; but doing so could require the city to deploy thousands of police officers to respond to gun alerts.<\/p>\n<p>Experts have also expressed doubts about the feasibility of adding the technology to the city&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/prospective-nyu-students-egged-on-campus-tour-amid-citys-homeless-crisis\/\" title=\"Prospective NYU Students Egged on Campus Tour amid City&#039;s Homeless Crisis\">sprawling subway system<\/a>, which includes 472 stations with multiple ways in and out. Fulton Center, the subway hub where the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mayor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>mayor<\/a> spoke, illustrates the challenges of&nbsp;deploying the detectors in a system designed to be as accessible as possible.<\/p>\n<p>There are multiple entrances spread out over several blocks, with dozens of turnstiles used by as many as 300,000 riders a day. During rush hour, they are often sprinting to catch a train. Anyone who wanted to bring a gun in without passing through a scanner could simply walk to another entrance or a nearby station.<\/p>\n<p>The CEO of Evolv, Peter George, has himself acknowledged that subways are &ldquo;not a great use-case&rdquo; for the scanners,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nydailynews.com\/2024\/03\/29\/weapon-scanner-company-showcased-by-nyc-mayor-adams-subways-not-a-good-use-case-underground\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">according to the <em>Daily News<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Evolv has said that its scanning system uses artificial intelligence to screen up to 3,600 people per hour, quickly detecting the &ldquo;signatures&rdquo; of guns, knives and explosives while not alerting cell phones and other metal devices.<\/p>\n<p>The company has faced a spate of lawsuits in recent years, along with federal probes into its marketing practices. Evolv told investors last year that it was contacted by the Federal Trade Commission and in February said it had been contacted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as part of a &ldquo;fact finding inquiry.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this year, investors filed a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hbsslaw.com\/sites\/default\/files\/case-downloads\/evlv\/2024-03-25-Complaint.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">class-action lawsuit<\/a>, accusing company executives of overstating the devices&rsquo; capabilities and claiming that &ldquo;Evolv does not reliably detect knives or guns.&rdquo; The company has&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ir.evolvtechnology.com\/news-events\/press-releases\/detail\/178\/evolv-technology-corrects-misinformation-about-the-company\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">claimed<\/a>&nbsp;that it is being targeted by a misinformation campaign by those &ldquo;incentivized to discredit the company.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>New York City has experimented with a variety of security measures to ensure the protection of its vast subway system. In 2005, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/NYPD\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>NYPD<\/a> ran a pilot project aimed at examining the feasibility of using explosive detection technology in the subways.<\/p>\n<p>Then, the department began doing random searches of people&rsquo;s bags as they entered the subway system. That effort was also rolled out with much fanfare, but such bag checks &mdash; while not completely abandoned &mdash; are rare today.<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1714813\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1714813\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New York City is implementing AI-powered scanners in an effort to prevent firearms from entering its subway system. However, the pilot program that began on Friday has already faced skepticism from commuters and potential legal challenges from civil liberties groups who argue that the searches are unconstitutional. The Evolv scanner, a modern weapon detection device utilizing artificial intelligence to identify guns and knives, was showcased at a lower Manhattan subway station during Mayor Eric Adams&#8217; announcement of the 30-day trial. &#8220;This is good technology,&#8221; Adams stated at Fulton Center near the World Trade Center. He acknowledged that while he would prefer not to have scanning procedures, many subway riders express a desire for increased safety and support the use of scanners if it helps keep guns off trains.<\/p>\n<p>Adams, who identifies as a &#8220;tech geek,&#8221; emphasized that these scanners are still in an experimental stage. They will be tested at only a limited number of stations with just some riders being asked to pass through them. The city has yet to finalize any contract with Evolv and is open to proposals from other companies offering gun-detection solutions.<\/p>\n<p>The six-foot-tall scanners display the NYPD logo along with colorful lights; when they detect a weapon, they alert two NYPD officers monitoring tablets nearby. The system aims not to trigger alerts for common items like phones or laptops\u2014though one reporter&#8217;s iPad case did set it off during testing.<\/p>\n<p>Civil liberties advocates quickly protested against this initiative. Organizations such as the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) and Legal Aid Society threatened legal action if widespread implementation occurs, claiming these searches infringe upon riders&#8217; constitutional rights. NYCLU attorney Daniel Lambright pointed out that city officials have admitted these scanners primarily address public perceptions of safety rather than actual threats.<\/p>\n<p>Some commuters expressed doubts about practicality; Dre Thomas, 25, remarked on how unfeasible it would be to screen millions of daily passengers effectively: \u201cIt\u2019s not going to work&#8230; It seems like another way to waste taxpayer money.\u201d Wyatt Hotis, 29, supported using scanners but suggested focusing on more pressing safety issues like preventing people from being pushed onto tracks by adding guardrails instead.<\/p>\n<p>Margaret Bortner was among those who tried out the scanner and found it painless but questioned their necessity at every station: \u201cThere are more important things officers should be doing.\u201d Despite notable incidents such as last year&#8217;s Brooklyn train shooting which injured ten people, overall crime rates in New York City&#8217;s subway have decreased recently; police data shows an 8% drop in crime compared to earlier this year.<\/p>\n<p>Mayor Adams has long considered introducing weapons detectors into subways and hinted this week about future plans where every turnstile could potentially identify concealed firearms\u2014though this would likely require deploying thousands of police officers for response purposes.<\/p>\n<p>Experts remain skeptical about integrating such technology into New York&#8217;s extensive subway network comprising 472 stations with numerous entry points. Fulton Center exemplifies deployment challenges due its multiple entrances across several blocks serving up to 300,000 daily riders rushing during peak hours; anyone determined could easily bypass security by choosing different entrances or nearby stations without passing through any scanner.<\/p>\n<p>Evolv&#8217;s CEO Peter George acknowledged subways may not be ideal environments for their devices according\u00a0to reports by Daily News while claiming their systems can screen up\u00a0to\u00a03,600 individuals per hour using AI technology designed specifically for detecting weapons without alarming over common metal objects like cell phones or laptops\u2014a claim challenged by recent lawsuits alleging inaccuracies regarding detection capabilities against Evolv itself amid federal inquiries into its marketing practices<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2634,"featured_media":2310221,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/nyc-subway-gun-scanners.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[33434,16596,36462],"class_list":["post-2310217","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-ai-technology","tag-gun-control","tag-new-york-city"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/nyc-subway-gun-scanners.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2310217","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2634"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2310217"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2310217\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2310221"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2310217"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2310217"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2310217"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}