Claire Bradshaw, a reporter for KSHB 41, covers eastern Jackson County, which includes areas like Blue Springs and Independence. She recently covered a story about Ipanema Management’s innovative solution to a crime issue at the Brywood Center on East 63rd Street. Amanda Bellemere, a representative from Ipanema Management, shared that they had been struggling with on-site security since taking over the property in August of 2022.
Bellemere mentioned that they faced challenges with security guards not showing up or not fulfilling their duties, leading to increased crime on the property. In an effort to find a solution, Ipanema Management decided to invest in a Knightscope K5 outdoor security robot, affectionately named Marshall. Marshall has been patrolling the parking lot 24/7 since April, with the exception of breaks for charging.
Marshall is an impressive 420-pound robot standing at almost 5’4″ tall and moves at a speed of around three miles per hour. Equipped with advanced Artificial Intelligence, Marshall features four cameras that are always recording, capable of scanning license plates, detecting people, and noting IP addresses. While Marshall is not armed, it serves as a vigilant monitor of the parking lot.
Bellemere reported that Marshall has had a significant impact on reducing crime on the property. She stated, „Before Marshall came, we had a lot of smash and grabs. We had a lot of storefronts being broken into. We’ve had cars going through buildings. And since Marshall has been here, and he has been patrolling all hours of the day and the night, our crime has significantly been reduced.“ According to Knightscope’s website, the K5 has reduced crime reports for its clients by 46%.
It is worth noting that Marshall is the only K5 robot in the Kansas City area, as confirmed by Knightscope. Ipanema Management LLC, based in Miami, has the ability to control Marshall remotely from an iPad and view its surveillance feed from anywhere. Despite occasional instances of getting stuck, Bellemere expressed satisfaction with Marshall’s presence and the positive impact it has had on the property’s security.
In conclusion, the implementation of the Knightscope K5 security robot, Marshall, at the Brywood Center has proven to be an effective solution in addressing the crime issue faced by Ipanema Management. With its advanced technology and constant surveillance capabilities, Marshall has significantly reduced criminal activities on the property, providing a sense of safety and security for both tenants and visitors.
