Page 14 - Security Today, September 2017

INDUSTRY
VERTICAL
Gas Monkey Security Dallas hot rod mechanic wants security systems to take care of themselves
With Ralph C. Jensen
When you have a garage full of antique and high-end performance cars, you better be thinking about a reliable security system. One that will not only allow you to pro- tect your investments, but also ensure that nothing drives out of the garage without proper permission.
Keeping Track of Everything
Richard Rawlings is the kind of guy that keeps track of every- thing in his shop, and when his Gas Monkey Garage started booming, an up-to-date security system was critical. While Rawl- ings didn’t go out searching for a security system, when pitched the idea, he knew he had to have it. Enter Keith Daulton, regional sales manager at Costar Video Systems, who got 30 minutes of Rawlings time, and turned Gas Monkey Garage into a veritable Fort Knox.
Gas Monkey Garage started in an extremely small two-bay garage, and not in the greatest Dallas location. It was a rough area, but soon enough Rawlings bought a larger building, and knew he was going to “have to have video, not just for security but to keep up with everything going on in the garage.”
Ever popular on the Discovery Channel with his Fast N’ Loud television series, his fan base has grown worldwide. Locally, one fan of the show is Keith Bell, owner of KB Technologies and the security integrator who worked with the Costar team to secure the premises.
“Installing the security cameras was fun for me because I am a fan of the show,” Bell said. “We all just worked together to find the best solution at every point in the garage. We installed a few 360-degree cameras in several key locations in the shop to ensure a complete view of a car while it is being worked on. The 360 camera is all encompassing, and it certainly brings the wow factor.”
Unique Challenges
Installing the cameras and security equipment had its unique chal- lenges with Gas Monkey Garage constantly in TV filming mode, Bell and his KB Technology team had to be aware of production’s cameras here and there, and behind every door in the facility.
“We were growing so fast that it got to the point that I could no longer look out an office window and see what’s going on,” Rawlings said. “We’re gonna have to have video to keep up with it all. We also needed the security because [fans] would walk in
12
0917 | SECURITY TODAY