“The police department is proud to unveil its newest weapon in the fight against crime,” the chief announced to the small crowd sitting around the stage.
A reporter raised her hand. The police chief nodded in her direction.
“Sir,” she began, “how will these new devices differ from your standard metal detector?”
He smiled. “Good question. The machine emits a low-energy X-ray that helps us identify concealed items—not so different from what you might find at airport security.”
“Is there a way we can see it in action?”
“Funny you should ask,” the chief called back. He motioned to an aide standing off to the side of the stage, who flipped on a set of wide-screen monitors positioned behind the podium. “We’re recording our most recent installation in real-time,” he paused, “—for quality assurance.”
A line of pedestrians appeared on the screen, walking single-file through the scanner. The police chief smiled as an elderly woman could be seen hobbling through the parallel aluminum walls. As she passed between them, a set of green lights began to flash.
The chief addressed the reporter. “The machines use artificial intelligence to detect shapes commonly associated with concealed weapons.” He turned back to the monitors. “But it looks like this one may have been tripped up by granny’s new hip,” he said with a grin.
A laugh rippled through the audience.
The crowd watched as two officers gently pulled the woman to the side. No audio accompanied the feed, but it appeared that the elderly woman was resisting, albeit mildly. A female officer took out a wand and began scanning the woman from the head down. It flashed red when it neared her hip.
“See,” the police chief said, pointing to the screen. “After a quick pat, this lovely citizen will be sent on her way.”
The crowd watched silently as the female officer removed what appeared to be a 9mm pistol from the old woman’s waistband.