New Kensington Arnold District Enhances Campus Safety

The Pennsylvania school district implements real-time video access for dispatchers and vaping detection to improve emergency response times.

• By Jesse Jacobs
• February 27, 2026

The New Kensington Arnold School District has overhauled its security infrastructure to include 911 camera sharing technology, allowing local emergency dispatchers to view live video feeds during active incidents.

The upgrade provides the Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety with immediate situational awareness. When a 911 call is placed from or near a campus, dispatchers receive an automated prompt to access the school’s camera system.

Enhancing First Responder Efficiency

Gene Good, 911 operations chief for the Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety, said the integration is a key component in maintaining safe schools.
“This is a game changer for emergency services,” Good said. “Dispatchers can immediately see what’s happening on the ground.”

The transition to real-time video reflects a growing trend in public safety. According to research published by the National Institutes of Health, video streaming during emergency calls can significantly enhance triage precision and optimize resource allocation. Furthermore, a 2024 national survey found that 96% of K-12 parents support mandates for schools to share security camera feeds with 911 centers during emergencies.

Unified Defense and Access Control

The project was a collaborative effort between the school district, the New Kensington Arnold Police Department, and security integrator 2Krew Security & Surveillance. The system utilizes cloud-native technology to unify door access control and video surveillance across the district’s facilities.

Modern unified systems are increasingly viewed as essential for campus safety. Industry experts note that integrated access control prevents unauthorized entry while allowing schools to remotely manage building lockdowns and grant temporary access to first responders during crises.

Proactive Health and Privacy Measures

In addition to the emergency sharing features, the new infrastructure includes environmental sensors designed to detect vaping while maintaining student privacy. Phil Brautigam, IT director for the district, said the centralized system provides value and ease of use for administrators while ensuring proactive safety measures are in place.

While the primary goal is deterrence, public health briefs emphasize that reliable sensors can be integrated into a school's overall strategy to combat the rise of student vaping. By placing sensors in privacy-sensitive areas like restrooms where cameras are prohibited, the district can identify incidents without violating privacy standards.

Community Impact

Brian Kozlosky, president of 2Krew Security & Surveillance, said the district-wide implementation secures all access points and creates a scalable system for the community.
Jon Banko, principal of Valley Junior-Senior High School, said the technological upgrades are part of a broader effort to ensure a healthy learning environment.

“The safety of our students is our top priority,” Banko said.