In an effort to enhance safety in the New York City subway system, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban have announced plans to implement new technology that will detect weapons. The pilot program is set to begin in a few months, and before it can be tested, the impact and use policy for electromagnetic weapons detection systems in New York City will be published, initiating a 90-day waiting period.
However, this announcement has not been met with approval from all quarters. The Legal Aid Society has expressed concerns that the approach to public safety by the Adams administration is misguided, costly, and invasive of privacy. The group believes that gun detection systems often trigger false alarms, leading to panic and potentially dangerous situations.
Despite these concerns, Governor Kathy Hochul and state and local leaders have been working to enhance safety in the subway system. Governor Hochul has deployed the National Guard and State Police for random bag checks while Commissioner Caban has interacted with riders to gather feedback on how best to improve security.
Transit crime has increased by 4% this year compared to last year and by 8% compared to 14 years ago. To address these concerns, the NYPD recently announced plans to assign 800 additional officers for a week-long crackdown on subway fare evaders while the city is also hiring more clinicians to assist individuals dealing with mental health issues. Overall, it seems that the city is taking several measures to address safety concerns and improve security in the subway system.