NYC starts scanning subway riders for weapons. Here's what to know.
NEW YORK -- New York City started scanning subway riders for weapons at select stations Friday, as part of a controversial 30-day pilot program.
The first system was installed in the Fulton Street subway station Friday afternoon, just in time for the evening commute. The plan is to eventually install the systems at major subway stations all across the city.
"We're officially launching an initial pilot of a groundbreaking new weapons detection technology. We will be deploying electromagnetic detection systems at select subway stations over the next month," Mayor Eric Adams said.
While officials say the main goal is to keep guns out of the subway, the scanners can also detect other weapons, such as razors.
"This is to add on to and leverage technology to prevent shooters in our subways, and this is about preventing mass casualty incidents," Adams said.
For safety reasons, transit police have not released a list of where the scanners will be installed, but riders should be prepared to make them part of their routine. CBS New York political reporter Marcia Kramer has been told the systems will be moved from station to station at different times of the day, so commuters won't know when or where they will be checked for weapons.
The new security precautions are also raising questions about privacy. The New York Civil Liberties Union and Legal Aid Society had observers on hand at the Fulton Street subway station Friday.
How the subway weapon detectors work
CBS New York was there as Adams first showed off the new technology back in March. Riders will walk through the detectors, and a red box appears on an iPad if a weapon is found.
Adams said thousands of tests have been conducted on the machines and he and other city leaders are impressed with the outcome.
"I think this is going to become a norm for us. I think the turnstiles are going to change. Eventually, every turnstile is going to be able to identify if someone is carrying a gun," the mayor said earlier this month. "I think it's a game-changer for the transportation system across the globe. As always, New York is going to lead the way."
This comes as transit police have been touting a reduction of crime in the system, saying subway crime is down at least 7.8% from last year and nearly 27% over the last four weeks compared to the same period in 2023.
"This is just advancing public safety by using current technology. How could we not use or try current technology? That's what this is about," NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper said.
"In the beginning of my administration, we saw a horrific shooting that took place in Sunset Park, and we know when you're in a close confinement like this, how dangerous it is if a person is armed with a weapon," Adams said.
Even though subway crime is down, the mayor said the weapons detection system is an important tool in making passengers feel safe riding the rails. Officials hope the scanners will help deter random acts of violence that give the perception that subways are unsafe.
Pushback over subway weapon detectors
Not everyone has been on board with the new safety measures. Civil rights groups are opposed to the system, calling it "security theater" because they say they are error-prone.
Marcia Kramer discovered this back in May 2022 when a weapons detection system was installed at City Hall as part of a pilot program; the device pinged because it turned out part of her iPad case resembled the cylinder of a gun.
Adams disagrees with the criticism.
"To be able to detect that someone is carrying a gun and where that gun is located on that person's body, this is good technology," he said.
"We believe that the technology as we're deploying it is going to be quite accurate. Can't say it's perfect," said NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Legal Matters Michael Gerber.
The Legal Aid Society wrote in a statement, "These scanners will create significant inconvenience, adding congestion and delays to an already overburdened system."
"Even worse, they are an unjustified invasion of privacy, and put people's lives at risk from the panic that an inevitable false alarm would induce," it went on to say.
"Straphangers have made it very clear that they want a clean, safe and functional subway system. They don't want commuting delays that are caused by technology that frequently triggers false alarms," said Jennvine Wong, supervising attorney of the Cop Accountability Project of the Legal Aid Society.
The NYPD is also in hot water for not properly disclosing information before deploying the technology.
Sources tell CBS New York the program may violate the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology Act, also known as the POST Act. It was enacted by the City Council in June 2022, calling for the NYPD to follow guidelines on the use of any new surveillance equipment.
Sources say the NYPD has not yet publicly posted a final statement about the system before it goes into use -- a step that must take place to avoid being in violation of the law.
The Legal Aid Society says it's putting the city on notice that it is prepared to sue.
"We're looking at our litigation options. You know, a fundamental right of Americans is to be able to move through society and through the public without being randomly searched by police officers," said Daniel Lambright, senior staff attorney for the New york Civil Liberties Union.
"We disagree. There's an entire special needs doctrine under the Fourth Amendment, which really is talking about this type of scenario," Gerber said.
Civil rights groups say the money spent on the weapons detection technology could be better used on subway system improvements.
What subway riders have to say
Riders who spoke to CBS New York with Friday were split on the plan, saying something should be done to prevent crime, but they questioned how it will be implemented.
"To keep the crime down, we have to do something," rider Hamilton Montero said.
"I'm glad they're trying. It's never going to work," said another rider. "Look how fast you go through here."
"No, definitely not, especially if you have to rush to work, I don't think it's going to be a thing that people have to do," rider Sharifa Footman said. "If it creates lines and long wait times, that's probably going to be an issue."
"I love it ... Absolutely, 100 percent safer. I am always nervous riding the train, so yes, knowing that will come in place, oh my God. Two thumbs up," one rider said.
"I think it's kind of pointless. How are they going to follow up on it? If someone goes through with a weapon, there are no police around," another rider said.
"I think it's a great idea because the main priority of the system is to protect citizens and make sure we're safe, and so I think it's a great idea. I don't see the downside of it," another commuter said.
"It's probably just going to turn into racial profiling and just a way to basically like stop-and-frisk," another person said.
"If there's a way to keep guns, weapons off the subway, I think it's a great idea. Um, I'm a chef. I'm a little worried about, like, if I bring my knife bags to work," one man said.
