City Exploring Metal Detector Technology For Subways, Mayor Says

NEW YORK, NY — Metal detectors might be on their way to New York City subways — but don't expect stations to turn into TSA line nightmares, according to Mayor Eric Adams.

The mayor confirmed Wednesday that the city is exploring metal detector technology that could detect guns in the wake of the 36th Street station attack that left 23 people injured on Tuesday.

" We have identified several new technologies that are not like the metal detectors that are used at airports, where you have to empty your pockets and go through a long line to get in. No, you just walk normally through the system." Adams said on WNYC Morning Edition. "We think there's some great promise in this technology."

The mayor's latest comments about metal detectors come after he shocked New Yorkers by telling news anchors he supported metal detectors in the subway system on Tuesday.

"Dude, have you ever been in the subway during rush hour?!" one straphanger said.

"Imagine running to catch a subway pulling in to the station but missing it because u had to wait ur turn for metal detector," wrote another.

A spokesperson for Adams later clarified that the mayor meant the "innovative technology" he explained on Wednesday.

"He was (of course) not saying we should consider using airport style metal detectors," City Hall Communications Director Maxwell Young tweeted on Tuesday night. "He’s a frequent rider and obviously knows that’s not practical."

The yet-unspecified new technology will likely not come to stations anytime soon. The mayor said his administration is looking into pilot programs, but has not yet had a sit-down about the idea with the state-run MTA, according to another interview on Pix11.

Adams said his deputy mayor of public safety had been scanning "the globe" for gun-detection technology even before Tuesday's subway attack.

Police are still searching for suspect Frank Robert James, 62, who is accused of detonating two smoke grenades before firing at least 33 shots at straphangers on the N train, according to authorities. Ten people suffered gunshot wounds in the attack, while another 13 were treated for injuries ranging from smoke inhalation, falls and panic attacks, police said.

The discussion around metal detectors comes as officials investigate what happened with another subway technology during Tuesday's attack — the station's cameras. At least one surveillance camera that could have captured the attack malfunctioned during the incident, according to the mayor.

Adams said Wednesday authorities are still figuring out what happened.
"The camera system is controlled by the MTA. They are cooperating with us, to assist us in finding out what happened at the train station," he said on WNYC. "We don't have a full understanding of that as of this moment."