October 1, 2001

6 Min Read
The Downside to Convenience

The Downside to Convenience

Lock-picking tools leave self-storage open to crime

By Chris Shope

Everyoccupation--be it physician, carpenter, engineer or, yes, even self-storageoperator--involves its own passion. My passion revolves around my specialty,security, which is important to all business owners. Companies in any industryrely on security to protect their hard-earned profits, property and livelihoods.So when I see products designed to manipulate what I work so hard to protectbeing sold on the open market to anyone with a credit card, it is like a slap inthe face. I'm talking about lock-picking tools sold to storage operators as aconvenient way to get into a lock that has been abandoned or is missing keys.

The companies that sell you these tools aren't security companies orlocksmith suppliers. They are simply retailers. They are not even registeredwith the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA). Simply put, they provide you aconvenient way to solve a problem. Unfortunately, they have created a biggerproblem than the one they intended to solve.

These tools have leaked into the public as well as different coin-operatedindustries and created quite a stir. Criminals are using these devices to getinto machines that rely on locks to protect their bank. They have also been usedin the industry that gave them life: self-storage. We have seen a dramaticincrease in these types of thefts over the last two years. How are criminalsgetting their hands on these tools? The companies who sell these products in thestorage industry have no standards for selling them. Their only requirement isthat a purchaser claim to be a storage operator and have a credit card or check.

We put these lock-picking-tool companies to a test and they all failedmiserably. The last one we tested was unquestionably the worst. I had one of mysales assistants call this company and request its lock-picking kit andinstructional video. The salesperson for the company didn't even verify ourposition or intentions. My assistant gave a number for a credit card that wasn'teven in her name and had the company ship the tool to a P.O. box that was undera different name still. We received the shipment with no problem.

The company not only broke the law by shipping the tool through the U.S.Postal Service, it also proved it has no concern whatsoever about to whom theysupply these tools. We have taken action against the company with representationfrom ALOA and the National Automated Merchandisers Association, two leadingsecurity associations with which we are affiliated. We are taking legal steps toput an end to the open sale of these tools to unauthorized consumers. Theviolated laws are:

39 USC 30 ß3002a. Nonmailability of locksmithing devices

a) Any locksmithing device is nonmailable mail, shall not be carried or delivered by mail, and shall be disposed of as the Postal Service directs, unless such device is mailed to:
1) a lock manufacturer or distributor;
2) a bona fide locksmith;
3) a bona fide repossessor; or
4) a motor vehicle manufacturer or dealer.

b) For the purpose of this section, ''locksmithing device'' means:
1) a device or tool (other than a key) designed to manipulate the tumblers in a lock into the unlocked position through the keyway of such lock;
2) a device or tool (other than a key or a device or tool under paragraph 1) designed for the unauthorized opening or bypassing of a lock or similar security device; and
3) a device or tool designed for making an impression of a key or similar security device to duplicate such key or device.

18 USC 83 ß1716A. Nonmailable locksmithing devices and motor vehiclemaster keys

a) Whoever knowingly deposits for mailing or delivery, or knowingly causes to be delivered by mail according to the direction thereon, or at any place to which it is directed to be delivered by the person to whom it is addressed, any matter declared to be nonmailable by section 3002 of title 39, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
b) Whoever knowingly deposits for mailing or delivery, causes to be delivered by mail, or causes to be delivered by any interstate mailing or delivery other than by the United States Postal Service, any matter declared to be nonmailable by section 3002a of title 39, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

People often ask me how they are supposed to get into locks that wereabandoned or have lost keys. The answer is simple: Call a bonded locksmith. Alsoconsider adding a section to your lease as well as posting a sign in yourfacility that states the renter is responsible for removing his own lock. Thinkabout it for a moment--renters are responsible for locking their units, so whyshouldn't they be responsible for unlocking them?

Some managers feel obligated to open locks for customers with lost keys. Iunderstand about customer relations and trying to be helpful, but sometimes youhave to draw the line. You must explain to your customers why you encourage theuse of locksmiths vs. taking matters into your own hands. They might not likehaving to pay someone to remove their lock, but they will keep a closer eye ontheir keys in the future. And you will be taking steps to ensure security in ourindustry.

One solution to the abandoned-unit/lost-key problem is to offer tenants achoice of cylinder lock systems that allow them to register their individual keycodes. For example, we offer a master-keyed system with a restricted keyway aswell as another system with an overlock function. The key codes for thesesystems are registered in our database so customers always have access to theirkey numbers. If their keys are lost or a unit needs to be opened for auction, wecan cut and ship a new key to a facility within 24 hours. For operators who wantthe same registration benefit but don't want to retrofit their whole facility,we provide a disc lock with the same capability. All of these systems eliminateany need for lock cutting or picking.

The big difference between a security company and company that sells securityproducts is simple: A true security company provides its customers with qualityproducts that deter crime. It also does everything in its power to constantlymonitor criminal activity so new products can be developed to retaliate. Thecompanies that merely sell security items don't specialize in this area. Theytreat these products as retail items. That is why it doesn't seem to them a badidea to include manipulation tools in the spread. These tools may seem harmlessenough. The offending companies don't even ask for bonding verification whenthey sell them to you. But imagine the same criminals who are reaping havoc oncoin-op machines and other facilities paying a visit to you. I wouldn't want tobe the one to explain that to my tenants.

Christopher Shope is the national marketing and sales director for LockAmerica Inc. (d.b.a. L.A.I. Group), which manufactures a complete line ofsecurity locks and custom-designed security hardware for self-storage and otherindustries. The L.A.I. team is committed to taking knowledge gained from othersecurity industries and applying it to the self-storage market. For moreinformation, call 800.422.2866; visit www.laigroup.com.

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