Wild West of Weapons Detection: Industry Lacks Regulation, Says CEO
CEIA CEO Luca Cacioli Calls for Direction in Industry
Luca Cacioli, the CEO of the Italian security company CEIA, describes the weapons detection industry as the “wild west”, lacking regulation and standards.
School Districts Panic Buying Due to Lack of Guidance
According to Cacioli, school districts are panic buying weapons detection systems without a clear understanding of how to test or use them, leading to a chaotic market.
“In the K-12 market, nobody is saying I’m the regulatory – no one is saying these are the objects you need to detect. Each school district chooses what they want to choose,” Cacioli told NBC 5 Investigates. “Some direction needs to be given in my opinion. As a matter of fact the standards already exist, they are not applied and they are not tested.”
CEIA’s OpenGate System
CEIA sells traditional magnetometers and its own weapons scanning system, OpenGate, which has been installed at Chicago City Hall and the Highland Park school district.
Cacioli claims demand has dramatically changed over the past decade due to mass shootings, and the industry is expected to reach over $2.2 billion by 2033.
Limits of Weapons Scanners
A months-long investigation by NBC 5 Investigates found that these weapons scanners are becoming increasingly popular, but have limitations. A 52-page private field test report shows that CEIA’s chief rival, Evolv Technologies, had failed to detect certain weapons.
Evolv’s Scanner Performance
The report found that during a field test, the Evolv Express scanner missed two sub-compact handguns on two pass-through attempts and failed to detect knives 42% of the time. This is concerning, especially considering the recent stabbing incidents at schools.
Investigations and Lawsuits
Evolv is being sued by investors who alleged that they were misled and that the company overstated what its products could do. The Federal Trade Commission and the Security and Exchange Commission have launched investigations, but both agencies declined to comment.
Evolv’s Response
An Evolv spokeswoman defended their devices, stating that they have “demonstrated success in detecting potential threats and mitigating risks across various scenarios”. They also claimed that their systems are part of a “layered approach” to security.
Cacioli’s Recommendations
Cacioli recommends a “layered approach” to security, involving not just weapons detection, but also people and processes. He believes that school boards need to make informed decisions about security purchases.
New York Police Department’s Data
The New York Police Department has released data showing that the Evolv scanners on the New York subway system had not detected a single firearm but had over 100 false positives.
Conclusion
The weapons detection industry is plagued by a lack of regulation and standards, leading to a “wild west” of untested and ineffective products. CEIA CEO Luca Cacioli urges school boards to make informed decisions and view weapons detection systems as part of a layered approach to security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the CEIA’s OpenGate system? A: CEIA’s OpenGate system is a weapons scanning system used at Chicago City Hall and the Highland Park school district.
Q: What is the issue with the weapons detection industry? A: The industry lacks regulation and standards, leading to untested and ineffective products.
Q: Who is suing Evolv? A: Evolv is being sued by investors who alleged that they were misled and that the company overstated what its products could do.
Q: What is the status of the Federal Trade Commission and the Security and Exchange Commission investigations? A: Both agencies have declined to comment.
Q: What does Cacioli recommend for school boards? A: Cacioli recommends a “layered approach” to security, involving not just weapons detection, but also people and processes. He urges school boards to make informed decisions about security purchases.
