Ulster County to pilot AI‑based screening at county office building; metal‑detector resolution postponed

Ulster County’s Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committee on May 7 approved a budget amendment to provide funding for enhanced security protocols at the County Office Building and set a pilot for an AI‑based screening system. A related resolution seeking to require magnetometers and airport‑style screening during all public access hours was postponed to allow further review.

Deputy Executive Capiano and Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa described a recent security assessment and an upcoming pilot of a screening product by Evolve, which the sheriff said uses sound waves rather than magnetic fields and is intended to be less intrusive for people with pacemakers. An Evolve presenter told the committee the company screens millions of visitors daily and offers AI threat detection and analytics: "At Evolve, we believe that safety is a basic human right... We are helping to make safer experiences for everyone," the presenter said.

The pilot is scheduled to be on site May 20 during legislative sessions to allow legislators and staff to review operation and analytics before further decisions. Sheriff Figueroa said the equipment can operate continuously but that the county will emphasize searches during legislative meetings. The sheriff and deputy executive also framed the pilot as part of a broader assessment the sheriff's office has been conducting on building security.

Privacy and operational questions were raised. Legislator Lupine asked whether the Evolve system uses facial recognition or stores biometric data; Sheriff Figueroa said it does not. Legislator Walls and others raised the related question of whether building security officers should be armed; the sheriff said arming security guards raises distinct liability and training requirements and said he would prefer additional deputies if the county wants armed staff.

Committee members then considered Resolution 2 44, which amends the 2025 Ulster County budget to provide funding for enhanced security protocols; the resolution was adopted. The separate Resolution 2 45, which called for magnetometers and airport‑style screening during all hours of public access, was the subject of debate and a motion to postpone. The committee voted to postpone Resolution 2 45 to allow time to evaluate the Evolve pilot and review prior security assessments.

Supporters said the Evolve technology will provide data and analytics that can inform long‑term security planning while avoiding some of the drawbacks of traditional metal detectors. Opponents and some legislators stressed that security measures should not discourage public participation at meetings and called for calibrated rollout and review before implementing permanent screening requirements.