The New York Police Department (NYPD) has deployed a police robot in the Times Square subway station.
The robot, K-5, will patrol the station in a pilot program.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) said the effort will save money.
“The population of men and women in law enforcement — in criminal justice — those numbers are decreasing,” Adams said in his announcement. “What we must do is look at existing technology and see — how do we continue to be innovative.”
“We must use every available method to continue to see our city be the safest big city in America, and that’s what we’re doing,” he stated. “We’re taking existing technology, cameras, being able to communicate with people, and we’re placing it on wheels.”
“Properly using technology saves money,” Adams continued. “Being able to view from the ground or in the air really allows the proper deployment of manpower and police resources.”
According to Adams, the robot “will operate between midnight at 6:00 a.m. at the Times Square subway station for two months” and “will be accompanied by a police officer at all times.”
“It will be trained to map out the station,” Adams explained. “It will record video that can be reviewed in the case of an emergency or a crime. It will not record audio, and it will not use facial recognition.”
Public safety and justice are the pre-requisites for prosperity — and we are committed to exploring innovative tools to keep New Yorkers safe. Join us now in Times Square. https://t.co/vQQKP3loDz
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) September 22, 2023
Reporting from Breitbart:
The mayor went on to stress that the city is leasing the robot for $9 an hour, noting that the price is below minimum wage in New York City. “It’s cost-effective, $9 an hour. That’s below minimum wage,” he said. “We’re not buying [the robots], we’re leasing.”
