New York City Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban have announced initiatives to enhance the safety of the Metropolitan Transit Authority's (MTA) subway system. The city plans to invest in new technology to detect firearms and expand the Subway Co-Response Outreach Teams (SCOUT) program, which provides assistance to individuals suffering from severe mental illness.

To ensure compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, the NYPD has published its Impact and Use Policy for electromagnetic weapons detection systems. This policy initiates a mandatory waiting period of 90 days before new technology can be tested and used in the city. During this waiting period, the NYPD will identify companies with expertise in weapons detection technology.

The aim is to pilot emerging technologies designed to detect weapons carried by passengers in the subway system. By effectively detecting firearms, the city hopes to maintain confidence in the safety of the subway system, making New York City the safest big city in America.

In parallel to the technological advancements, the city will also expand the SCOUT program. Launched in partnership with the state and the MTA in October 2023, SCOUT teams consist of clinicians and MTA police officers. These teams have been successful in connecting individuals with untreated severe mental illness to mental health treatment and care. Over a period of 90 days, the program has already moved 90 individuals out of the subway system and into appropriate care.

To further scale the program, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has committed a $20 million investment, allowing for the expansion of SCOUT teams from 2 to 10 by the end of 2025. This investment will also facilitate the hiring of additional clinicians to support the expansion, ensuring that more New Yorkers in need of mental health support can access the necessary care.

The announcement comes as part of the city's commitment to the safety and well-being of subway riders. The NYPD has already made significant progress, with over 450 weapons seized in the subway system since the start of 2024, compared to 261 weapons during the same period last year. This includes the confiscation of 19 illegal guns. Moreover, overall crime in the transit system has decreased by nearly 16 percent in March compared to the same month last year.

Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul continue to prioritize the safety of subway riders by deploying additional police officers to the subway system and cracking down on fare evasion through initiatives like "Operation Fare Play." By combining the efforts of law enforcement, technological advancements, and mental health support, New York City is dedicated to maintaining a safe and reliable subway system for all its residents and visitors.