LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority voted Thursday to expand its pilot weapons detection program across additional high-traffic transit stations and buses, following a months-long trial that tested the technology’s capabilities and potential deterrent effect.
The Metro Board of Directors approved the motion to broaden deployment of so-called “pillar-style” scanners, which use sensors and artificial intelligence to detect large concealed metallic objects. These systems were initially tested beginning in August 2024 at Los Angeles Union Station and the APU/Citrus College Station. Officials say the expansion will unfold over the coming year as Metro evaluates the scanners’ operational impact and effectiveness.
While the exact number and location of stations included in the expansion remain unspecified, the motion calls for the technology to be installed at unspecified “key high-traffic transit stations” and on at least two Metro buses. The board did not provide a timeline for when the additional installations would be completed.
The vote follows a surge of reported violent incidents across Metro buses and rail lines last spring. Between April and May 2024, at least seven attacks were documented, prompting calls for improved safety measures and increased enforcement across the system.
Board member and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn noted during Thursday’s meeting that while no actual weapons were detected on passengers during the initial five-month trial, both systems used in the pilot identified concealed weapons carried by law enforcement officers with “100% accuracy.”
According to Metro Deputy Chief of System Security and Law Enforcement Robert Gummer, officers observed instances where individuals appeared to alter their behavior upon seeing the screening devices—some choosing to leave the premises altogether. Gummer suggested this behavior may indicate a deterrent effect, although he acknowledged the need for more comprehensive data.
The motion requires Metro’s CEO to deliver a follow-up report to the board by June, outlining the outcomes of the expanded program and assessing its operational performance and influence on rider behavior.
The vote comes as transit agencies nationwide continue to experiment with AI-driven safety infrastructure amid concerns about public safety and ridership decline. Still, questions remain about the practical deployment of these technologies, their privacy implications, and their true effectiveness in preventing incidents across sprawling urban transit networks.
