AI Gun Detection to Be Deployed on Las Vegas Transit System
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) is set to deploy a system-wide artificial intelligence (AI)-powered gun detection system across its over 400 buses as part of a $33 million multi-year security upgrade. The software, provided by ZeroEyes, will scan riders for anyone brandishing a firearm, aiming to provide authorities a crucial edge in preventing mass shootings and other violent incidents. This move comes amid growing concerns about transit safety across the United States, with reports of rising violence and public anxiety about transportation security.
Key Takeaways:
- AI Gun Detection: Las Vegas is deploying ZeroEyes AI software on its transit buses to detect individuals brandishing firearms.
- Proactive Security: The system aims to prevent mass shootings and other violent incidents by providing authorities early warning.
- Transit Safety Concerns: The initiative comes in response to escalating violence and public fears about safety on transit systems nationwide.
- Alternative Technologies: Acoustic sensors are also being explored as an alternative method for detecting gunshots, but face challenges due to cost and limited coverage.
- Comprehensive Approach: Experts emphasize the need for a layered approach to security, integrating AI technologies with traditional law enforcement methods.
A Need for Proactive Security
The RTC’s decision to implement ZeroEyes reflects a growing awareness of the need for proactive security measures in public spaces. The threat of mass shootings and other gun-related violence is a pressing concern for communities across the country. Tom Atteberry, RTC’s director of safety and security operations, emphasized the critical importance of "seconds mattering" in an active shooting situation, highlighting how the AI system could provide valuable lead time for authorities to intervene.
"Time is of the essence; it gives us time to identify a firearm being brandished, so they can be notified and get to the scene and save lives," he said.
The Rise of Transit Crime and Fear
The RTC’s initiative comes amidst a backdrop of rising crime and safety concerns on public transit systems. A report released in late 2023 by the Department of Transportation highlighted the growing anxieties of transit agency officials across the U.S. about increasing violence on transit systems.
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics has also documented a spike in assaults on transit systems, further fueling public fears about safety. This anxiety is particularly acute in major metropolitan areas, where large numbers of people rely on public transportation to navigate their daily lives.
ZeroEyes: A System Designed for Early Detection
ZeroEyes, the company behind the AI gun detection software, was founded in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially designed for school campuses, the company pivoted to focus on other high-traffic areas like government buildings, corporate campuses, casinos, and manufacturing complexes.
The ZeroEyes system relies on existing camera infrastructure and employs AI algorithms to detect individuals brandishing firearms. When a potentially threatening situation is identified, the software alerts a staffed operations center, staffed with retired law enforcement veterans, who quickly assess the situation and dispatch emergency responders.
Sam Alaimo, co-founder of ZeroEyes, explained that the system is specifically designed to detect firearms that are "fully displayed" and "brandished in a threatening manner." It does not aim to detect legal firearms concealed in holsters or purses.
The Speed of Detection: Seconds to Save Lives
The ZeroEyes system boasts a lightning-fast response time. From the moment an image comes in, is vetted by the operations center, and 911 is alerted, the entire process can take as little as three to five seconds.
Alaimo emphasizes that the system’s ability to identify the type of weapon further enhances its value, providing crucial information to responding officers.
"We give them the clarity to get in there and stop the killing," he said, highlighting the system’s focus on preventing mass casualties.
Acoustic Sensors: A Competing Technology
While image-based AI detection systems like ZeroEyes are attracting significant attention, acoustic sensors are also emerging as a potential solution for detecting gunshots.
Wei Dai, assistant professor of Purdue Northwest’s Department of Computer Science and advanced intelligence software lab director, argues that acoustic sensors may be a better fit in some situations due to their ability to detect gunshots with 99 percent accuracy. Unlike cameras, which have limited visibility, acoustic sensors can cover a much broader area, making them suitable for large spaces.
However, the high cost of acoustic sensors has been a major impediment to their widespread adoption. While some cities, like Lafayette, Louisiana, are piloting the use of acoustic sensors, others, like Seattle, have abandoned plans due to cost concerns.
The Future of Transit Security: A Layered Approach
While AI-powered gun detection systems offer a valuable tool for enhancing public safety, experts stress the need for a holistic approach that integrates these technologies with traditional law enforcement methods.
Brian Miller, director of public safety at Purdue University Northwest, emphasized the importance of a layered strategy, incorporating various tools such as images, acoustics, and old-fashioned police work.
"You need a layered approach to law enforcement," he said, acknowledging that no single solution can completely prevent mass shootings.
Navigating the Challenges of Implementation
Despite the potential benefits of AI-powered gun detection systems, their implementation raises complex challenges.
Paul Gratton Jr., a former NYPD supervisor with the transit bureau who now consults, highlighted the need to clarify "what actions are you allowed to take, and what actions should responding officers take?" once a brandished gun is detected.
Gratton further noted that the effectiveness of these systems depends on the quality of camera infrastructure. He praised the RTC’s decision to implement ZeroEyes in Las Vegas, as the city’s transit system boasts a better camera network than Philadelphia’s SEPTA, where a pilot program ended this spring.
The Role of AI in Policing: A Controversial Frontier
While AI-powered systems like ZeroEyes hold promise for enhancing security, their use raises ethical and privacy concerns.
Michael Hasse, a cybersecurity consultant, expressed skepticism about the system’s effectiveness, citing the long history of concealed weapons and the ease with which they can be disguised.
"Concealed weapons have been an art form for hundreds of years," Hasse said, cautioning that AI-based systems are susceptible to spoofing and can be easily bypassed by individuals who are determined to conceal their weapons.
However, the RTC’s Atteberry maintains that the potential benefits of the technology outweigh these concerns.
"You have to be progressive and proactive; you can’t just sit back and wait for something to happen and then be reactive. Our job is to look around corners and prevent something from happening. If it saves one life, it pays for itself," he said.
The Future of Policing: AI at the Forefront
Despite the challenges and skepticism surrounding AI-powered gun detection systems, experts predict their growing use in policing and security. As technology advances, these systems are likely to become increasingly sophisticated and integrated into security protocols across a range of settings.
Gratton believes that these "camera systems are the natural progression of policing which will involve AI in camera systems."
The implementation of ZeroEyes on Las Vegas’ transit system marks a significant step towards the broader adoption of AI-driven security measures in public spaces. Whether this technology will deliver on its promise of increased safety or raise further concerns about privacy and ethical implications remains to be seen. The debate about the role of AI in policing is far from settled, but one thing is certain: technology is shaping the future of security in ways that will continue to evolve in the years to come.
