Posted 3/20/2024, 9:00:01 AM
SEPTA drops AI gun detection software over tech issues, redirects funds to cameras and police amid rising transit crime
- SEPTA ended its contract with ZeroEyes, an AI gun detection software, due to incompatibility issues with SEPTA's analog security cameras
- The decision came amid a surge in violent crime on SEPTA properties in 2022
- SEPTA now plans to reallocate $4.9 million grant money previously earmarked for ZeroEyes to other security upgrades like new cameras and police overtime
- SEPTA aims to boost police staffing, adding 40 new officers this year after adding 40 last year
- Privacy advocates had raised concerns about potential facial recognition capabilities, but SEPTA said ZeroEyes did not use facial recognition or share rider images/videos