NEW YORK — A pilot program testing AI-Powered Weapon Scanners in select New York City subway stations this summer failed to identify any passengers carrying firearms but recorded more than 100 false alerts, according to data newly released by the NYPD.
The AI-Powered Weapon Scanners, produced by Evolv, conducted nearly 3,000 screenings, which led to over 118 false positives and 12 knife detections. Police did not clarify if the knives found were illegal or everyday tools, like pocket knives, permitted in the transit system.
Top Amazon Deals to Grab This October 2024
Mayor Eric Adams, an advocate for integrating tech solutions into city safety, introduced the portable scanners in select subway stations as part of a summer initiative to reduce subway violence. However, civil rights advocates and some commuters expressed doubts, citing feasibility concerns over screening millions of passengers across hundreds of subway entrances daily. Violent incidents on the subway remain rare, but the pilot followed two widely reported shooting incidents.
The NYPD’s statement on Wednesday provided limited details, noting that 2,749 scans were conducted across 20 stations over a 30-day period, with a false positive rate of 4.29%. However, information regarding scan duration, the number of officers required to operate the devices, or the number of riders opting out of searches was not disclosed. Evolv did not respond to requests for comment.
Earlier this month, an NYPD representative mentioned that the pilot’s results were under review and that no contract had been finalized with Evolv.
Mayor Adams has championed Evolv’s technology since assuming office in 2022. The company’s scanners were initially deployed at a city hospital, and plans to install them in public schools were also announced. Evolv has faced scrutiny in recent years, including investigations by the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regarding its marketing practices. This year, a group of investors filed a class-action lawsuit against Evolv, accusing the company of exaggerating the scanners’ detection capabilities and alleging that “Evolv does not reliably detect knives or guns.”
Avoid Home Invasions With These Essential Security Devices
Following the release of the data, the Legal Aid Society issued a statement on Thursday criticizing the pilot as a “clear failure, no matter how hard City Hall tries to spin this data.” The statement urged city officials to abandon the program, citing “overwhelming evidence against using Evolv’s weapons detectors, along with surrounding controversies, including lawsuits and various investigations.”
