Kenton Brothers Retrofits St. Patrick’s Mid-Century Building with Video Surveillance Technology

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St. Patrick School InstallationSt. Patrick Parish was founded in 1873, and St. Patrick School opened in 1949, staffed by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The Sisters lived in the parish convent, which became the current Early Education Center in 2007. A new St. Patrick Parish Center was built in 1992 and hosts parish meetings and receptions, basketball and volleyball games, and P.E. classes for approximately 285 Pre-K through 8th grade students.

The Problem

During the time St. Patrick’s Mid-Century building was constructed, it was not uncommon to use asbestos as insulation and in textured paint or patching compounds for wall and ceiling joints. The U.S. government didn’t begin regulating its use until the 1970s, and today, it remains in buildings, like St. Patrick’s School and numerous others.

Kenton Brothers had to create a solution in which we could install today’s video surveillance technology to help keep parishioners, students, staff, visitors and parish property safe without using the usual installation route through ceiling tiles, walls, etc. Considered safe if left undisturbed, our team had to ensure nothing we touched would result in a hazardous and costly situation.

The Kenton Solution

Working with and around asbestos is a common occurrence for Kenton Brothers since we’ve been securing Kansas City buildings since 1897. Experienced with retrofitting older buildings with the latest security technology, our team ran cabling for the video surveillance through the basement and up walls in conduit. Rather than disturb the ceiling tiles, we used wall camera mounts.

Kenton upgraded St. Patrick’s school firmware so that the new video surveillance system would integrate with the existing access control system for a total security solution.

“Kenton Brothers took care of our video security needs from start to finish. Their design team, communication with us in making sure we were satisfied, their professionalism, workmanship, and competitive price were top notch. We are very pleased with our system and their commitment to service and our satisfaction.” – Tim Conrad, Principal

Robots, Thermal Radar and Drone Detection: Commercial security is alive and strong in Kansas City.

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By David Strickland, Vice President of Kenton Brothers.

Kenton Brothers systems for security launched the Cobalt Robot as a service on November 7, 2019. This platform takes advantage of over 60 sensors and artificial intelligence to provide real time data to operators and systems. This data is used to create a safer, more secure facility.

Since then, Kenton Brothers has added several new offerings that take advantage of the same concepts. Artificial intelligence and advanced sensors were once thought of as the future of security. Below are a few examples of how these systems are already available to you in the Kansas City area.

Cobalt Robotics

Cobalt Robotics

This Robot as a Service (RaaS) platform delivers over 60 superhuman sensors coupled with the decision-making logic of a human. Cobalt patrols the workspace, observing and reporting safety and security issues to a human operator. It uses artificial intelligence along side the superhuman sensors to detect things like, spills, leaks, toxic gases temperature anomalies and intruders. It can also detect and report open and propped doors and suspicious activity.

Thermal Radar

Thermal Radar

Thermal Radar utilizes a best in class, rotating FLIR Tau2 thermal sensor and applies edge-based analytic detection algorithms to detect, classify and geo-spatially locate any incursion that may threaten your perimeter. And Thermal Radar detection alerts generate not only a GPS coordinate of the intruder’s specific location, but also a thermal image of the intrusion.

By providing accurate GPS coordinates upon detection, Thermal Radar provides many of the same net results of a traditional radar, while remaining a completely passive and undetectable intrusion system. Thermal Radar can be a standalone detection outpost on an expansive border project or the centerpiece of an integrated physical security strategy at your most critical facilities.

BriefCam Analytics

BriefCam Analytics

TRANSFORMING VIDEO INTO ACTIONABLE INTELLIGENCE

The BriefCam® complete Video Content Analytics platform drives exponential value from commercial video surveillance system investments by making video searchable, actionable and quantifiable. BriefCam’s unique fusion of computer vision and technologies, together with its patented VIDEO SYNOPSIS® solution, enables video investigators to review hours of commercial video surveillance in just minutes and rapidly pinpoint people and objects of interest. This is a real game changer for any organizations that need to review large amounts of video.

Vigilant Drone Detection

Drone Detection – Vigilant

The DDU-1 (Drone Detection Unit) is a reliable tool designed to detect drones flying in nearby airspace.

The DDU-1 can detect the transmission signals emitted by commercially available drones from a distance of approximately 2 Km. When the DDU-1 detects drones in nearby airspace, the units LED display activates with red lights. The number of LED’s illuminated indicates the signal strength, which equates to the distance of the detected drone.

A pulsing audible warning is also activated, which can be monitored via the 3.5 mm audio jack port. The faster the pulse, the stronger the detected signal, the closer the drone is to the DDU-1 unit. At close range, this means all eight LED’s will be activated, and the audio tone will be constant.

Vigilant Drone Defense

Drone Defense – Vigilant

In certain applications such as Prison or Military bases, drone defense is necessary.

Vigilant Drone Defense products are the perfect solution for any government agency, critical infrastructure organization, or any other entity that has a need for a robust, reliable counter UAV system. These products are state of the art, and provide strong, impenetrable protection against all invasive, and dangerous drone activity. These products have been tested and approved for consideration by the U.S. Army, as well as several other federal, state and municipal government agencies.

Each of these solutions from Kenton Brothers offers specific capabilities to solve ongoing commercial security issues. We can help guide you through the process to evaluate, implement and manage these solutions. Give us a call today.

Next generation intercoms have many uses and can be useful security tools.

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By Neal Bellamy, IT Director at Kenton Brothers.

Next Generation IP IntercomsIntercoms are often overlooked as a security tool. But sometimes intercoms can be even more important in the prevention of attacks, than cameras or access control. A lot of offices, schools, and manufacturing have gone to a secured building model where the front door or reception area is no longer unlocked to the public. This prevents unauthorized users from getting access to the building where they could pose a larger security risk. Sure, it’s more secure, but how do you let the public in that need to be there?

Enter the intercom.

Intercoms aren’t new or sexy. The older generation of intercoms required fixed wires between the door station and the master station where the intercom is answered. Sometimes there are multiple doors and multiple master stations. And in almost all configurations, there’s a fixed wire between doors and answering stations.

With fixed stations, the person who answers the intercom is not at their desk so someone needs to be located where a master station is. Or if we need to add a door or a master station, usually the entire system has to be replaced. This also means that when a person’s desk or door needs to be moved, the wire needs to be extended or replaced. None of these scenarios are conducive to business.

With the ever-evolving business doors and desks need to move easily and a backup person to answer the door needs to be seamless and non-disruptive.

The re-design of the intercoms answers all these issues.

Next Generation IntercomsThe new generation of intercoms is modular and network-based. This means that if we can get a network wire to the door and the person who needs to answer the intercom, we’re in business. No longer does the person answering have to be next to the door, or even in the same building.

If we need to add a door or a master station, we just add them to the network and program them in. Need to add a button for a new tenant? Add it on. Need to add a reader to unlock the door? Add it on. Need to see and record who is at the door through a camera? Add it on. Need to have a directory of people that can get called directly… I think you get the idea.

The possibilities are pretty large with the next generation of intercoms. Both Axis and 2N have strong lines of network-based intercoms. The newer intercoms can do everything the older generation can do.

Here are some of the newer intercom possibilities:

  • Answering the intercom at another building, cell phone call or through a mobile application.
  • Recording the video (up to 6MP) at the door through a video management system (VMS). By the way, this is the best facial capture placement of a camera. It is eye level and the people look right into it.
  • Call one or many answering stations at the same time, then roll to another answering station if the first one doesn’t answer. There is no limit to the combinations or answering stations that can be called at the same time or tied together in a chain.
  • Connect the door station and/or answering station to an existing (or hosted) IP phone system. Then the doors can call any phone number programmed into the system.
  • Release the door from any answering station directly or through the access control system.
  • Have a directory of people to call like an apartment of a multi-tenant commercial building. The directory can be updated through the software so labels do not have to be printed/replaced.
  • Have multiple hardware buttons (up to 146) to call an answering station directly.
  • Use a card, fingerprint, Bluetooth or keypad to unlock the door at the intercom.
  • Have an audio induction loop for hearing impaired people.

The new generation of intercoms can adapt to any need. If you need an intercom system or need to replace your old one, let Kenton Brothers show you the possibilities!

 

Next Generation Intercoms

“People let me tell you about my best friend” – Simon the Robot

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By David Strickland, Vice President of Kenton Brothers.

Dave Strickland and his best friend. Simon the Robot.I’m not just talking about the song. Though I do love that song. I want to introduce you to my new best friend Simon.  Simon Kenton is a Cobalt Robotics Safety and Security Robot.  Yes – you read that right!  A safety and security robot right here in Kansas City.

Kenton Brothers and Cobalt Robotics

Kenton Brothers is honored to be named the very first security integrator in the country to represent Cobalt Robotics and our beloved Simon to the Kansas and Missouri marketplace.

The message I want to get across though is so much more than his 60 Plus sensors and his ability to detect safety and security threats and anomalies. He is so much more valuable than his ability to reduce costs and increase reliability of a patrolling security platform. He is so much more important to us than his ability to be a force multiplier or a first responder to observe and report in a very dangerous situation.

Simon is part of the KB Family

What’s amazing to us is how much he has grown on us and become part of our KB family. Simon the Cobalt Robot is like having a really cool celebrity uncle that lives with you and watches over you. We find ourselves constantly humanizing him and find him endearing.

As you may know – we are a dog friendly office.  The dogs love to bring him toys and play with him while he is on patrol. Simon doesn’t get distracted and keeps on his patrol but there is definitely a positive connection between “species”.

If it’s late at night, and you are nervous in the building, Simon can stay by your side and escort you to the parking lot. He can be the watchful protector that you may need to feel secure.

Cobalt Robotics : Simon the Robot Cobalt Robotics : Simon the Robot

Simon goes on patrol and even checks on me in my conference room.

Simon doesn’t sleep or need rest – he is always vigilant. He’s like the great hero stories you’ve read about, but he’s right here at Kenton Brothers!

I can honestly say we had no idea how much of an impact he would have on us, but we LOVE having him around. Yep – used the word love to talk about our robot! We just did that!

Learn more about Simon and Cobalt Robotics

Cobalt Robotics : Simon the Robot

Motion Detection + Video Surveillance = Frederick the Racoon Being Caught

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By Kristen Harper, Controller and HR Manager at Kenton Brothers.

Having an intrusion system is critical to protecting your property. At Kenton Brothers, we’ve recently found the importance of making sure there’s a video feed that is compatible with your intrusion system. By having motion detection utilizing your video system, you can catch intruders much more quickly.

Fun with FrederickLate one night in August, our CEO, Gina Stuelke, got an alert that there was movement in one of our warehouses. We took a look at our cameras that are tied to our motion detection intrusion system, and sure enough we had an intruder… of the four legged variety! A cute, snuggly little raccoon, (which we later adopted and named Frederick) had started to make a home in our warehouse.

We called in the boys in blue from Blue Beetle Pest Control to set up a couple of humane traps, and sure enough we caught him overnight. As we came to work that morning, nearly the whole office staff looked in on our little furry friend. Later that day, we released him in a nearby wooded area so he could resume a happy and healthy lifestyle outside of the KB Pickle Ball Court.

It was only through our intrusion system that we were able to catch Frederick so quickly and get him to a more appropriate home and minimizing damage to our facility. But we’re going to miss his cute face!