Chesterfield MO Property Crime Rise

KPLR Channel 11 news in St Louis reported tonite on the alarming increase in property crimes in the cities of Chesterfield and Wildwood, today.

According to police reports, vandals apparently went on a crime spree, stealing 2 cars, breaking into houses, stealing purses and keys and going on joy rides in said vehicles knocking over 19 mailboxes in their path.

Chesterfield police report they have no concrete leads at this time.

Master Key Systems America are securing homes and businesses in the greater St Louis region. Our conveniently located Creve Coeur workshop and especially equipped service vehicles are staffed by competent and qualified technicians with over 25 years international experience in many facets of the physical security products and services industry.

As a neighbor, I am mortified that such crimes are occuring on my doorstep.

Protecting yourself, your family, your colleagues and your properties is vital in maintaining your property value, protecting insurance policies from increasing and the true well-being of everyone.

Method of entries, according to police reports, suggest burglars kicking in doors, accessing open garages and unlocked cars, taking pocket books and keys.

The daring burglars are becoming more desperate during these recent economic times and all citizens need to be wary and secure their properties.

We offer some unique and high quality, aesthetically appealing alternatives to maximise your security applications, including the Strikemaster II frame strengthener, Bilock Extreme Security deadbolts and locksets, Baldwin products and other unique products to help you provide your family and properties with the best defense from intruders.

(thanks KPLR11)

Warmer/Colder Find It All - Wireless Key Locator

A new product just released, widens the market of products in it's category.

The Find It All, offers a unique perspective.

Remember when we were children, we used to play the warmer/colder game? Where someone would hide something and make you look for it, giving you clues as to whether you were warmer (closer) or colder (farther away).

This new product, cleverly brings that old game to a reallity with this innovative method of a glowing light that increases it's strobe as you get closer to your desired object.

The set consists of 2 sturdy key chain tags and 1 very robust flat tag, so you can attach one key chain to your keys, the other to your phone and pop the flat tag in your wallet or purse (of course this is just a suggestion, it's entirely up to you exactly where and on what or who you choose to attach them).

Unlike other systems that are either a receiver or a transmitter - the Find it All Key Finder tags are both, so if you've got one, it will find the others for you. Clever huh?

Product Specification

Product dimensions (2 x key fob): 0.8(H) x 3(W) x 7(D) cm / 0.3(H) x 1.2(W) x 2.75(D) inches.
Product dimensions (1 x flat fob): 0.6(H) x 4.8(W) x 6.9(D) cm / 0.25(H) x 1.9(W) x 2.7(D) inches.

The Ultimate Key Finder set includes 2 x key fob receiver/transmitter units and 1 x flat fob receiver/transmitter unit.

Each fob is a two-way device, capable of signalling any other fob to beep and flash, helping you locate the lost item attached to it.

The flat fob comes with a lanyard and double sided tape for attachment to items such as a mobile phones, wallets, purses, bags, MP3 players, iPods etc...

To locate a missing object attached to a Find It All Key Finder fob, simply locate one of your other Find It All Key Finder fobs and enter the code corresponding to the item you are searching for. If the missing fob is within range (up to 10 metres / 30 feet) it will begin to beep and flash.

Find It All Key Finders also feature proximity detection, whereby the rate at which the fob used to locate another fob is flashing represents the distance between the two fobs. Therefore, the closer you get to a missing item the faster the LED light flashes.

Each receiver/transmitter fob unit requires a CR2032 battery (included).

(source...)

Poor Service

Recently, I have been called out on numerous occasions to repair/replace products on clients doors that were previously worked on by untrained and unknowing handymen, attempting to provide services without the knowledge, training or experience that professional locksmiths have spent years acquiring the knowledge for.

A particular example is this:

Client call us to rekey their locks on their home. We inform of our price structure over the telephone. An appointment is booked and our technician arrives early to the appointment.

The estimated cost is given again, prior to receiving the "go ahead" from the client.
Locks are removed from the doors and taken to the service vehicle for re-keying.

Upon inspection of the cylinders, many of the interior parts (the tumblers and springs) are missing. Prior to "fixing" the cylinders, our technician consults the client as to how recently the locks were worked on. The client responds that they were worked on by a handyman/carpenter just days before, but as the locks werent working properly, they decided to have a professional repair after the handyman refuses to honor any perceived warranty.

Due to the problems caused by an untrained "handyman", the cylinders take considerably longer and require more parts to "fix", yet the client has already been quoted a cost, so switching prices midway is unethical, inappropriate and not in the best interests of our company.

Repairing the cylinders does not take too much extra time, but due to the quantity of cylinders, extra time is multiplied by the quantity.

The client is always very happy with our services, because we honor our words and provide value for money.

Still, many customers choose to do business with an untrained person rather than call a trained technician, because of the price to value perception. It is true that sometimes you can benefit from having a handyman "also" do your locks....but they cannot and often do not (or are unable) to warranty their work. There is an old saying, "Pay peanuts and get monkeys", this should apply to anyone seeking to "cheap out" on their families or their colleagues protection.

Ezine Articles

I recently had an article published on respected Internet site EzineArticles.com.

It is an honor to have been accepted into a community of authors and people who have had an article published publicly.

Why join an article publishing site?
The exposure and free advertising that come with perception as an expert in your field are enhanced tremendously by third party facilities that are prepared to scrutinize your works and content and have them available to a broad cross-section of the world wide web.

It is another attempt at gaining a wider exposure, without necessarily paying for it.

What You Get For Sending In Your Best Quality Original Articles:

• Boosts Your Personal and Business Credibility:
  Getting published in EzineArticles.com boosts your credibility and begins the trust cycle with your readership. For many authors, being listed with EzineArticles.com is an excellent way to get started, especially if you are a published author or hope to be published soon. There is a book inside each of us waiting to come out.



• Builds Brand Equity & The Brand Called You:
  Having your articles featured in EzineArticles.com builds brand equity for you, your business, and your expertise. It begins or reinforces in your customers' and prospects' minds what you can do for them.



• Surges in Traffic to Your Website Like No Other Site Can Deliver:
  This is caused by the ezine publishers who come to our site throughout the year to pick up quality articles for their email newsletter or website in addition to our end-user base of millions of people who are looking to immediately benefit from your expertise. When your articles get picked up for reprints, you will often get a surge of traffic as your articles are introduced to their email list members or audience.



• Massive Exposure To The Hundreds of Thousands of Unique Visitors That Come To EzineArticles.com Daily:
  Your articles may be viewed by the (MILLIONS of visitors) that use our site every month! We work very hard to deliver a positive, fast and end-user obsessed experience that keeps our fan base returning for more.



• Receive Quality and Relevant Leads to Your Website:
  People who read your articles and click on your link(s) found in your Resource Box at the end of each of your articles are highly-qualified prospects by the very nature of how they found your website.



• 7-10 Times More Effective Than Regular Advertising:
  You become known as the expert by your article and this endears potential customers to you before they even visit your website. There is no better way to "pre-sell" your prospects than article marketing.



• You've Got A Head-Start on The Reciprocation & Trust Cycle:
  Your prospects are pre-sold as you have already begun the reciprocation cycle by giving first, through your expertise in your articles. When they visit your site, your qualified prospects will already know something about you and feel endeared to reciprocate, or at least check out your products.



• Market Your Business With No Face-To-Face Selling:
  Having your articles in EzineArticles.com allows them to pre-sell your ideal target prospects without you having to make any cold calls or face-to-face sales appointments to sell your products or services. It's not so much about making sales directly as it is qualified lead generation. We get the pre-qualified visitor to your website and then it's up to you to convert or monetize those visitors.



• You May Receive Free Ads in Targeted Ezines:
  Your author Resource Box at the end of the body of each of your articles acts as an advertisement for your business. When ezine publishers come to our site to pick up and reprint your articles to their newsletter base, you essentially get free ads in their newsletter. The better quality you put in your article, the higher your chances are of increased distribution by the ezine publishers who use our site to find quality content to send to their thousands or perhaps even tens of thousands of permission-based members.



• To Be Recognized as an Expert Author:
  When your articles are accepted in EzineArticles.com, you become recognized as an EzineArticles expert author. This adds prestige and perceived value by others when they view your articles in our site.



• Editorial Integrity - Your Articles Share Expert Company:
  Every single article submitted by the tens of thousands of expert authors who call our site home for their articles have been reviewed by our human editors who double check each article for quality (grammar, spelling, no dead links, etc). This ensures the company your articles keep has integrity.



• Improve Your Sales: (even if you're only selling an "idea")
  While this is not the only reason you should submit your articles to EzineArticles.com, it is a great one. It does not matter if you are selling products, services, or an even an "idea". EzineArticles.com can help improve your sales by bringing your business quality traffic and leads via the links in your resource box below the body of your article. Article visitors often turn into customers.



• Optimize The Promotional Mileage Out of Your Existing Article Archive:
  If you have already produced a series of quality articles, why not submit them to our expert community to get even more ROI from your efforts?



• Find Customers That You May Have Not Been Able To Reach Before:
  Every article you submit to EzineArticles.com is like casting a wider net to reach new customers and traffic that would have never found your articles or website before.



• Get Continual Traffic To Your Website For Many Years To Follow For Free:
  In the majority of cases, your articles will be in EzineArticles.com for at least an initial 180 days (6 months); however, many ezine publishers and webmasters who pick up your articles for reprints, including your resource box, will display your articles and links for many years. This means surges of traffic this year and many random spikes and continual traffic over the next decade. We have no intentions at this time to remove any articles after the 180 guaranteed-inclusion days, but reserve the right to keep our site fresh by removing articles that are no longer current.

Today, it is fundamental to business success to enjoy a presence on the world wide web. You can pay $$$ for that exposure or with a little patience and confidence in yourself, you can become an author and have your words of wizdom work for you instead.

My most recent article can be found here: The Trouble With "So Called" Experts

I also have had 2 other articles published:

Lock Bumping - The Truth!

How Much Does It Cost To Change Locks?

Master Keying - How it Works

BiLock's completely interchangeable core lock system (QCC) enables a lock

combination to be changed in seconds, provides second-to-none key controls, offers fast and efficient maintenance and large, virtually unlimited master keying system capabilities!

So-called "Master Key" systems have almost become a generic term. Real Master Key Systems that can incorporate Because it offers switch locks, perimeter locks, filing cabinet locks, garage door locks and virtually any lock on the market today are much rarer, and BiLock is very rare. BiLock offers virtually infinite combinations with tightly controlled security, it gives both the locksmith and the end user confidence and flexibility. It is the Company's understanding of what a true Master Key System requires that has positioned BiLock at the forefront in todays security market.

The BiLock key system utilises up to 12 chambers with 4 depths per chamber. The numerical sum of these combinations gives 16,777,216 actual key combinations per profile. Powerful Master Key Systems can be generated from these combinations. It also makes possible an authentic and convenient one key system for each individual user authorised to access any particular area, building or group of buildings.

Authorised BiLock agents use a computerised master key generation system, which allows them to build seriously complex Master Key Systems without compromising system security.

Master Key Systems America, a family owned company, have been servicing, manufacturing and installing BiLock Extreme Security Key Control Systems for over 20 years. Our conveniently located workshop and especially equipped service vehicles are staffed by competent and qualified technicians. Our use of the World's N0# 1 rated master-keying software, Promaster 5, complements our ability to design and maintain even the most complex systems.

Combining BiLock with our ranges of premium hardware, offers the discerning commercial or residential property, total security and key control protection.

With BUMP KEYS, being discussed very often across the world wide web and instructional videos abundantly available, to teach how easily the keys can be made and lock systems attacked, NOW is the time to thwart any chance of being a victim of bump keys, by installing the widely proven and oldest 100% guaranteed bump proof pin tumbler system on the planet!

(source...)

Call Us TODAY for your confidential estimate! (314)-266-1533

Did You Know?

• Every 13 seconds a home is burglarized.
  
• In more than 50 percent of all residential burglaries, entry is gained through a door.
• More than 85 percent of break-ins are committed by non-professional burglars, who are usually desperate and dangerous individuals.
• Fifty percent of all burglaries occur during the day.
• 2 out of 3 residential burglaries occur through a first floor door, yet the majority of homeowners invest more in their tennis shoes than on quality locks for their doors.
• The average alarm response time (the time it takes the police to arrive) in the US is well over 10 minutes after the burglary has occurred, yet many homeowners trust an alarm for their security.
• 30% of assault cases and 60% of rapes occur in conjunction with a burglary/robbery, yet many homeowners claim they have nothing to protect.
• 2 out of 5 burglars have met the occupant at some point and have likely had access to a copy of their keys, yet the majority of homeowners use locks with absolutely no key control.
• Goods are not recovered in approximately 80% of burglary cases and in 10% of cases reported, the police don’t even respond to the call in person.
  

(source...)

First Alert Wireless Peephole

How about this for a modern take on the everlasting security product, the common peephole.

Except that this also doubles as a wirelss cctv device.

Introducing the First Alert Digital Wireless Security System with Dual Function Photo Frame. No more bulky security monitors on your desk. Now you can view your favorite digital photos and monitor your home or business using the same LCD Photo Frame. Setup is a breeze because you don’t have to lay any cables. Just plug it in and you’re ready to go. Utilizing Advanced Digital Wireless Technology you can mount the security camera within 500 ft** of the photo frame without any interference from other wireless devices. The system is expandable up to 4 cameras.

Classic styling and modern convenience combined in this 7" digital picture frame and an indoor / outdoor color digital wireless camera. Pictures are sharp and vibrant thanks to the 480 x 234 pixel LCD panel. Photos can be viewed in an automatic slide show or one at a time with the use of the built-in control buttons or the supplied remote control. Slideshows can be enhanced with music. Video clips can be shown as well. The PH559 digital picture frame offers a classic design with its real wood frame, perfectly suitable for any home or office.

The Digital Wireless signal is the latest in wireless technology featuring frequency hopping transmission which enables a clearer picture, point to point secure signal, superior sound quality, longer transmission range through walls and floors (500 ft** range) with no static, and is totally Wi-Fi and wireless friendly. Utilizing Digital Wireless cameras allows the user to cut their setup time in half while increasing the camera distances from the DVR. First Alerts Digital Wireless Cameras have a range up to 500 ft**.

You can easily switch from photo frame mode to security camera mode with the touch of a button on the photo frame or included remote control. In addition the signal is completely secure and cannot be monitored by others, unlike traditional analog wireless devices. In addition, the camera is equipped with Night Vision up to 30 ft and can be mounted either inside or outside. With the ability to expand the system up to 4 cameras the PH559 is the sleekest and most versatile security system on the market.

(source...)

Key Holder Concept

Every person uses a key today. So, everyone most likely has a keyring. When you come home, where do you put your keys so you can easily find them next?

I am a locksmith with over 25 years in the business, but still today I am constantly misplacing my own keys. I might put them down when I come in, forget where I put them and frantically search and retrace my steps to find them, whenever I need to leave.



This concept design keyholder is beautiful and simple in my opinion. The rubber slots are able to take almost any design of key and hold them securely in place.

(source...)

New Finger Vein Technology

Sony recently released details on a new biometric technology that reads the internal vein structure as opposed to "older" fingerprint recognition technology.

The advancement in this technology, enhances potential security applications, immensely.

Apparently the size of the sensors have also been reduced to allow for the development of better locking systems including for gates and aluminum style doors.

Many aluminum doors across the world are produced with narrow frames. Up until now, fingerprint readers have been too bulky for installation on narrow style doors, hence the slow uptake across the world. With the advent of this exciting new technology breakthrough, I can see on the horizon, the day when keys will be that product of yesteryear. The 5000 year old invention that took 5000 years to be made redundant.

(source...)

The Wedge (Portalarm)

You've come home from work, switched off your alarm system, left it off for the evening.

Imagine you are home alone. The door is closed. You are in your living room enjoying your nightly activity.

Oblivious to the outside world, you didnt hear the door open and the stranger walk in.

Prevent unwanted intruders. The Wedge is your portable, affordable alarm, sounding a 110Db siren, enough to scare the living daylights out of said intruder.



You are home alone. Doors are secure. What about the sliding window or the patio door? Are they secure?

The Wedge doubles as a window alarm, loud enough to alert when the slider has been forced.

It becomes an effective security device, when you consider the statistics...

According to a recent survey of prisoners, 85% of all burglars (in prison) stated any loud noise would have stopped them.

(source...)

Yeti Portable Alarm

The Yeti is a portable, outdoor alarm system designed to protect your valuables from other people’s temptation. It’s designed to be left unattended in the back of your truck, near your tools or wherever your good stuff is bound to get nicked. It works like a car alarm and comes with a handy key fob to turn the unit on and off remotely so you don’t set it off as you go back and forth.

It’s equipped with a 110dB siren and a strobe so you should be able to hear and see it even over the sound of power tools. The front passive IR sensor can detect anything within 25 feet and the rear sensor anything up to 12 feet away. It also has a bump sensor so you can leave it on things as well as using the motion sensor and be assured no one can just pick it up and be off it. The built-in battery is good for 2-3 weeks of use but that will probably depend on how often you set off when you go back to get things.

The other nifty feature is it has a built-in Bluetooth unit. If you leave a spare mobile phone within Bluetooth range of the unit with your phone number programmed into the speed-dial then the Yeti can ring your phone if the alarm is triggered. You can also set the main alarm to be silent and just use the Bluetooth dialing feature so you can catch ‘em in the act and teach them some manners.

The makers claim you can also use it to scare off critters or as a deterrent to keep people out of dangerous areas, after all there’s nothing like a 110dB siren to say “Danger Will Robinson!!” $US249.99 direct from the manufacturers.

(source...)

Are Your Keys Safe?

I recently came across some startling information that goes to the very core of household security.

Skin Impressioning.




As you can see in the photo, certain people of ill intent have become quite crafty in their methods to defeat locks.

While I doubt the accuracy of this method, nonetheless it should be a concern for those who regard the home and office security as vital and important for the safety and security of their families and properties.

Do you know who has a key for your house?

Would you prefer to be able to decide who can and cannot have a key and be assured that your key cannot be copied without your knowledge?

Datamation’s Netbook Cart Protects and Recharges Netbooks in Schools

Let's face it! Data security is at the forefront of information security protection today. The quantity of netbooks getting stolen is testament to this fact.

This new product recently released from Datamation
superbly addresses the needs of schools and school children.

Frankly, the Datamation Security Cart for Netbooks is a very clever idea. Providing security as well as serving as a recharging dock for netbooks, this security cart will be definitely of great use to schools providing free computer usage to their students in the classroom. Or perhaps schools which allows students to bring in their own netbooks inside the school premises. Just place the Datamation Security Cart for netbooks strategically inside the school premises, and students can easily dock in their netbooks for recharging or as a “netbook counter” so that they can freely do other things.And list of possible things goes on.

Anyway, the security cart can hold up to 32 netbooks. And it fits most netbooks including Eee PC, Dell Mini 9, Acer Aspire one, HP Mini Note, XO Laptop, Lenovo Idepad. It allows for easy access to netbooks whether on both front and back sides. It protects netbooks through a pick-resistant two-point locking mechanism that holds the netbooks securely in place.

(source...)

Remote PTZ Webcam

CCTV and Surveilance cameras are continually reducing in price allowing mainstream people to afford relatively decent surveillance of the properties.

A new product has surfaced that is very competitively priced.

This is a webcam and not a direct CCTV camera device, but you
could probably use it as such.
This web camera automatically tracks motion and can be controlled from a remote location via the Internet, allowing you to surveil real-time video images of your home from anywhere in the world. When the camera detects motion it pans up to 180° and tilts up to 60° to follow and record the movement. You can set the camera to automatically send notification to your personal e-mail account when it detects motion, or you can view real-time video and control the camera manually from a remote computer using the included software. The camera captures 640 x 480 resolution video at 30 frames per second and has a 4X digital zoom, ensuring crisp pictures. A built-in microphone records sounds from up to 20' away. Includes software for control ling the web camera and a USB cable. Requires Windows XP or Vista, and a high-speed Internet connection for real-time video. Plugs into USB 2.0. 4 1/4" H x 3" Diam. (9 oz.)

$89.95

(source...)

Lighter Cam

Lighters come in different shapes and sizes but few lighters double as spycams.
This unusual product is choc full of "other" products.

Features
Dimension: 64.5mm (L) * 38.4mm (W) * 18.4mm (H)
Normal Lighter look makes it ideal for a variety of surveillance uses.
It’s great for use as a hidden camera, spy cam etc.
Real time recording 30 F/S in AVI video format (640x480, QVGA)
Color video with voice lets you clearly see who’s there & hear what they say.
There’s no long cord for you to hide or Wireless frequency to detect.
Use micro SD card from 128MB to 8GB ( Not included)
Playback video on cell phone or PC

This Lighter DVR has no internal memory, and does not come with a Micro SD/T-Flash card.
Please insert a Micro SD/T-Flash card before recording.

Lighter DVR with built in Micro camera for your home or office surveillance when you are not there. It records everything that you miss while you are away.

Built in Digital Audio Video in case some one come to your home or office for bad purposes.

You don't have to worry about the battery as it can run for a minimum 6 hours with a full Charge and a micro SD card can record up to 8 hours Very High quality of audio video on 8GB Micro SD Card.

Built in lion lithium battery gives you the power of long hours in continuous recording.

A great product to perform personal investigation, conduct secret video surveillance or for any ideal covert operation where gathering evidence is important for you.

$150.00

(source...)

Black and Decker to offer remote home locking solution

Hot on the heels of SchlageLink, comes Black & Dekker, owners of the Kwikset Brand, with their own version of a Z-Link powered remotely operable entry lockset.

Insiders report that the product is still in final development but is supposed to be released in the first half of 2009.

No idea on pricing, but expect it to be super competitive with other existing vendors as is typical with all Kwikset products.

(source...)

Garage Shadow Bluetooth Enabled Garage Door

The Garage|Shadow™ easily transforms your BlackBerry® smartphone into a remote for your garage door. Our interface allows you to quickly open, close and stop your garage door just like the switch currently connected to your garage door opener. Simply choose which door you want to control and press. Do this from within your car, coming back from walking your dog or if you are just doing work around the house. As long as your phone is by your side, you can access your garage.

Installation is easy. The Garage|Shadow installs just like your existing switch. Simply plug in the two wires from the Garage|Shadow, in the same location as the two wires from your switch. Activating our "automatic open" feature means that your garage door will open as soon as you come into sight of your garage. You don't have to worry about buying any more RF remotes or keypads, now, all members of the family with a BlackbBerry® smartphone can enjoy their own personal garage door remote.

Features

• Bluetooth technology means reliable, secure and easy operation
• One touch access to all garage doors
• "Automatic Open" feature knows when you have come home and opens the door for you
• Download application directly onto BlackBerry without connecting to a computer
• Easy do-it-yourself installation
• Also works with any Bluetooth enabled cell phone

(source...)

Due available in April 2009. Estimated List Price $40.00.

The Schlage LiNK remotely-controllable door lock

January 25, 2009. Locksmithing, one of man’s oldest and most venerable professions, appears set to join the digital convergence mix with the first wirelessly-controlled door lock now on the market. It's also further proof that the device formerly known as the mobile phone will one day become the remote control for much of our lives. The Z-wave-enabled Schlage LiNK deadbolts and locks offer consumers the ability to remotely control and monitor access to their home 24/7 with any web-enabled mobile phone or computer. The locks provide keyless entry through 4-digit access codes that can be entered, activated, deleted or disabled on the lock's 11-digit push button keypad or via the Schlage LiNK web portal. This means never having to circulate multiple sets of keys, never needing to stay home to meet the handyman, and the peace of mind of having a listing of which codes (i.e. who?) opened each lock and when for the last 90 days. The $300 starter kits (and subsequently $200 locks) might also be suitable for real estate agents wishing to streamline their ability to show properties.

Via the Schlage LiNK online portal, homeowners can choose to receive text or e-mail notifications when specific user codes are entered on the lock’s keypad and track code activity over the past 90 days. These features deliver peace of mind to the parents of active families so they know exactly when people are entering their home. It also does away with the need to regularly replace locks for rental properties and second homes.

The Schlage LiNK locks are Z-Wave-enabled and will work seamlessly with more than 300 other Z-Wave-enabled home automation devices. Check out the Z-Wave alliance web site here and investigate the other possibilities for home automation here. Designed with plug and play simplicity, the wireless Z-Wave Bridge easily plugs into an Ethernet port on the home computer's Internet router, the light module plugs into any standard 3 prong electrical outlet, and the Z-Wave Bridge's RF signals are fully encrypted using AEC 128 bit encryption protocols.

Schlage LiNK deadbolts and locks can be used anywhere a traditional lock is used and are available in bright brass, satin nickel and aged bronze. The locks are powered by standard AA and 9-volt batteries and typically install in less than 30 minutes with only a screwdriver.

The Schlage LiNK Starter Kit costs US$300 and includes one Schlage LiNK deadbolt or lock, a wireless Z-Wave Bridge and a compatible light module, while additional deadbolts or locks are US$200 each.

There is also a US$12.99 monthly subscription fee for use of the Schlage LiNK online portal and mobile applications, which gives homeowner the power to control all Schlage LiNK locks and a wide variety of Z-Wave enabled home automation devices.

(source...)

Freddie Mac & Fannie Mae Debacle

Articles presented recently give rise to a deceptive method (although not illegal) being perpetrated by the two leading Mortgage Companies Freddie Mac & Fannie Mae.

One particular article written by an author in Arizona includes this," Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s policy is ultra cheap for their own bottom line, but outrageously expensive for the American public who now become victims of crime and must absorb the costs associated with increased crime rates. Insurance claims have soared, forcing inflated premiums for average policy holders. Police departments must respond to more calls-- a critical challenge considering budgets have been severely cut due to the economic downturn. And all this because two mortgage giants chose simplicity for themselves over safety for the consumers they serve."

Apparently Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have been paying the locksmiths and handymen across the country to rekey foreclosed properties, but to the same keys exactly. The initiative is in effort to reduce the cost to the mortgage houses for granting access by their teams of tradespeople.

It is well known throughout the professional locksmith world that keying alike properties of separate addresses, whilst generally unknown to the end user, substantially reduces the security of a property, to the point of allowing access to people of ill intent.

Properties owned by the two leading mortgage houses have seen unprecedented levels of criminal damage and theft, often after foreclosure, with most blame being inferred upon the previous homeowner or tennant, when more likely it is due to thieves and burglars having access to the same key that the tradespeople use to access these properties.

Items like copper piping, fixed cabinetry, lighting fixtures etc, are being removed and sold on the black market. The causation to the next owner of the house is substantial increased costs in not only fixtures, but also increased insurance premiums.

In a poor economy, any added increase in costs to the consumer, fundamentally decreases the consumers ability to spend to improve the economy. The new Obama Administration is making accountability a forefront policy. It is time that the large federally backed companies also become accountable.

The reason for getting your locks changed is further heightened, with this knowledge. Not only with Freddie Mac & Fannie Mae properties but all properties, even new constructions, because how many keys do you really know are in circulation for your home or office?

Master key systems and key control systems need to have professional locksmith attention to maintain the security and safety of the consumer.

Change Locks Now! (for your peace of mind and your family safety)

(source...)

Identity Theft - Stolen Adresses

Identity theft is a common concern, but what if your address was stolen? An Omaha woman is getting unwanted business mail addressed to her home.

"Sometimes I get more mail for the locksmith than I do myself," says Lois, who doesn't want her last name used. Piles of junk mail for 24-Hour A Locksmith come to her address.

"Why would a reputable company hijack someone's address and use it as their business address unless there was some reason to conceal it?"

24-Hour A Locksmith has a local phone number, but a call goes to a dispatch center on the east coast. "They put the addresses in there so you know that they're nearby and in your area, but there's no store fronts at all there,” says a dispatcher.

"I'm trying to find out why that address is being used?" asked Channel 6 News’ Mike McKnight. After a Six On Your Side call to 24-Hour A Locksmith for assistance, a local locksmith was dispatched.

"I don't know if it's legal or illegal, I don't know anything about that," he said. "I have nothing to do with that.”

Would he call them and ask why are they doing this? “I don't think it's any of my business, that's their problem."

Postal inspector Dave Margritz found 24-Hour A Locksmith on three Internet Yellow Page Web sites. All show the address for the company which we won't reveal because it's Lois' house.

"We're going to contact those three Web sites that I found and demand they take that listing off there because that company is not authorized to use her address," says Margritz.

Lois worries that one day a disgruntled customer will show up on her doorstep when she's home alone. "I'm not in the phone book, I have an unlisted number. I just have no idea how this locksmith got my address and felt they could use it."

The hijacking of her address by an out-of-state dispatch company for local locksmiths has Lois worried about opening her mail and her door.

The locksmith who responded to our call to the dispatch center says he's an independent contractor working for Dependable Locksmith out of The Bronx, New York.

Channel 6 News left numerous messages with dispatchers asking a manager to call Six On Your Side. No one ever did.

(source...)

Google is the worlds leading search engine, but unfortunately it is not immune to the fraudulent tactics of these and other unscrupulous companies either.

I have personally investigated the matter and noticed some interesting characteristics. Specific among these characteristics is the fraudulent company's claim to be allowed to use the subject address due to their works having been performed there, at one time. This action specifically confuses the search engines ability to recognize an address as true or false.

Coincidentally, the other more generic search engine known as The Yellow Pages, also suffers from similar identity frauds because similar addresses are also not checked prior to inclusion in their print books. Therefore, it begs the question as to whether or not the Yellow Pages and web search engines are aiding and abetting these fraudulent companies to defraud the markeplace?

Biometric Access Control With Face Recognition Technology

RCG Security products distributes some brilliant technology designed for the access control market.

The FxGuard Pro offers the most accurate
facial identification and verification
technology available today. The technology
is user-friendly and highly intuitive with
verification time of less than 1 second.
For added security, FxGuard Pro adopts
dual-factor authentication (right token
and right face). The system is suitable for
access control at public exhibitions and
business & government premises.



• The first facial recognition application that runs primarily on TCP/IP.
• Easy integration with corporate LAN.
• Proven speed and accuracy.
• Cross-platform compatibility.
• Built-in infrared sensor and RFID reader.
• Perfect for access control and time-and-attendance application.
• Facial verification takes less than 1 second.

FxGuard Pro can easily integrate with
corporate Local Area Network (LAN) and
PC workstation or server. It is the first facial
recognition solution that runs primarily on
TCP/IP. This ensures cross-platform
compatibility and users don’t need to install
special software on any PC. With its
user-friendly Web Administration Interface,
clients can easily setup, maintain and access
information in the device by only using an
Internet browser.

FxGuard Pro biometric access
control can help to reduce security
cost with automated, unmanned
entry points. All required software
is embedded in the device and no
dedicated computer is required.
This reduces cost of maintenance.

(source...)

HDMI Connection Lock

Not the usual product posting in this site, but still a novel approach to securing those HDMI cords, that sometimes have a nasty habit of falling out.

Designed to work with most HDMI components and most HDMI cords, the premise is pretty simple. The lock uses either a screw or adhesive to stick itself around the HDMI port, forming a sort of outer port that can clamp to your HDMI cord. At $20 a pair, the EZ locks cost as much as some HDMI cords. But then again, if you're spending thousands or tens of thousands on your home theater setup, maybe they're not a horrible investment.

(source...)

Help Lock - Restroom Assistance For Mentally Or Physically Challenged

This concept door lock for bathrooms is designed to initiate assistance for people who might be physically or mentally challenged.

The concept is: In the initial setup, you program a time limit—say, 20 minutes—for your future bathroom. From that point on, whenever you close the door and activate the alarm, the Help Lock will sound a preliminary alarm after the allotted time, giving the bathroom inhabitant 30 seconds to deactivate it. After that, the doorknob will initiate an alert call to whatever number you've chosen to enter, whether it be a neighbor or emergency services.


This is a concept that will be released commercially in the near future.

(source...)

Is Your Car Remote Broken?

Has this ever happened to you?

Your car remote has broken and you think you need a new one or have it fixed.




Your remote buttons have become worn out due to excessive use?









Ever put your remote and keys in your pocket, after locking your car only to find your car unlocked when you return, possibly due to accidentally knocking and activating the remote?






Have you ever dropped your remote in a puddle and pick it up and it no longer works?









How about an extremely cost effective solution that does what you want quickly and easily?

A Remote Tote!

Installing your Remote Tote is so simple a child can do it!
Just 3 steps:
1. Insert remote in cover.
2. Attach Key Ring
3. Attach Keys



Now Available in Fashion Conscious Colors.

This incredibly effective and inexpensive option could save you hundreds of $$$ in replacement remote controls.

You purchase a tote or case for your cell/mobile phone to protect it, don't you? Why not protect you car remote too?

Contact us for details.
P.O.A.

Foreclosures In The Real Estate Market

Earlier this year, I wrote a post (repeated below) about an article appearing on NPR that accounted how some locksmiths are faring reasonably well during a sad economy. It is often not a pleasure to travel into neighborhoods to perform lock change requests for banks and foreclosure administrators, when you see exactly how many homes and properties remain vacant.



All Things Considered, April 16, 2008 · The mortgage crisis has been great business for locksmiths. Banks need to get the locks changed quickly because people who've just been evicted often take out their anger — or their appliances.

Click on the picture to listen to the article.

It is an unfortunate side effect of the mortgage crisis, but banks and other lenders are forced into these actions as a consequence.
Master Key Systems America, a family owned locksmith and door repair business, serving residents and businesses in the greater St Louis region with unrivalled services and products. Our specially equipped service vehicles are staffed by competent and qualified technicians, who can quickly and economically perform your required tasks, happily and efficiently. For an obligation free estimate, call us on (314)266-1533.

Door Knobs, Locks and Pulls in St Louis MO

For the last couple of years, I have been referring many clients to visit a very professionally set up and run showroom, that displays many assorted high quality brands of locks, pulls, door knobs, and cabinet hardware.

Many people choose to still shop at Lowe's and Home Depot for their hardware, but the professional advice and dedicated specialist displays presented by Locks & Pulls Design Elements located at 9590 Manchester Rd, Rock Hill, MO are second to none in the local St Louis market.

The company is owned by reknowned plating industry professionals Thiess Plating Co., a St Louis icon in excess of 60 years service to the greater St Louis community.

Pictured to the left, are some of the displays you can view in their showroom.









On display, are products from leading manufacturers, including Baldwin, Schlage, Kwikset, Emtek etc.

The extremely wide ranging displays and vast depth of products offered are tailored to the discerning tastes of home owners, remodellers and devellopers.





Visitors to their store often find replacement products for some of the very old hardware found in many of the period homes around St Louis. Many new home builders and renovators find the friendly staff and ambient environment suitable to helping them choose suitable and functional decorative locks, pulls, door knobs and decorative hardware to suit their varied tastes.

As the showroom for Thiess Plating Co, the staff can advise on repair and refurbishing of existing hardware at surprisingly competitive prices.

(source...)

Bilock (A Closer Look) Part III

Significant recent inquiries lead me to write todays post. Our signature product Bilock, is starting to make inroads into the US marketplace, probably due to the consumers realizing the superior manufacturing and quality of this amazing and so advanced Australian designed lock and key product.

Yes the product is originally designed and manufactured in Australia, however cylinders for the United States market are predominantly manufactured inside the mainland USA, under license (Connecticut, to be precise).

Many customers today, appear to be concerned about the dwindling economy and labor markets. One certain method to help to sustain the local markets is to buy locally. Buying locally includes purchasing products manufactured in the USA.

As a St Louis Missouri based locksmith company, we proudly offer locally produced hardware products to benefit our clients and attempt to help the local economy.

So, How Much Do Bilock Key Systems Cost?

I'm glad you asked. Master Key Systems America LLC is a licensed USA dealer for Bilock Extreme Security Products and as such advertizes the cylinders and keys at the recommended retail (list) prices.

We offer significant discounts for quantity orders, information that can be sourced upon application.

We charge a standard keying fee per keyhole of $15.00 to build the inner cores and $9.00 per key (initial supply only).

We are happy to supply hardware to anywhere in the USA, but remember, all Bilock systems are permanently recorded in our secure database, to protect the interests of both the client and the manufacturer. Keys can only be reproduced as originals. They can not be duplicated (due to the nature of the product) and can only be supplied after receipt of a suitably and correctly authorized letter of request.

All lock cylinders are keyed in our factory workshops and checked and rechecked by management prior to release to the client. This action maintains the superior quality control and reinforces our guarantee against faulty workmanship.

Further to the manufacturers warranty of 12 months on parts, Master Key Systems America LLC also provides the first two (2) maintenance services (at 6 and 12 months) at no additional charge, only on systems installed by our technicians. This provides the client with a further guarantee on the working condition of their product and peace of mind for at least the next 12 months.

For a confidential discussion about Bilock and the benefits it offers you, feel free to contact us at your earliest convenience.

Society of Professional Locksmiths - Making New Keys

It is sometimes astonishing to find out from many people that locksmiths are more often presumed to make keys for cars.

Locksmiths have been in the business of helping all people with their physical entry systems for thousands of years.

From car keys to house keys to cabinet keys to antique cupboard lock keys to commercial office keys to safe keys, locksmiths have and are regularly helping people to secure their properties, replace lost keys, recode door locks, make new existing keys (without changing locks), install high security key and access control systems, consult and advise on all forms of physical and electronic security protection equipment.

The security protection industry is one of the largest industries in the world and there are many and varied practitioners in the various aspects of the industry.

More often than not, locksmiths have been the stable and trusted profession over many years primarily due to the constant evolving learning curve required to keep abreast of developments.

You can decide to place your trust in the modern/new breed of security professional or maintain the long trusted and tested accumen of the small but high integrity based locksmithing industry.

It is a small industry made up of many talented practitioners. There are those who seek to bring the industry to disrepute but people who trust their local locksmith often find the quality of the workmanship and service, second to none. Trust in your local locksmith is akin to trusting your healthcare professional with your life.

Locksmithing is an art, a craft passed down through the generations. It can be learned, but locksmiths must constantly seek to further their education of the trade in order to prosper and service the demands of an ever changing marketplace.

The new age of the locksmith industry is upon us. Locksmiths who get involved with the Society of Professional Locksmiths, realize that with constant discussion and education, can they hope to provide their customers with the superior services that the past has helped prepare the future for.

The instructors, teachers and respected industry professionals are joining the Society of Professional Locksmiths because it aims to educate the industry and the marketplace together, providing a safer and better life for all peoples.

Crime Report II

This months Crime Report is for the Kirkwood MO municipality. November 1 - 17, 2008.

5 x Breaking & Entering
14 x Property Destruction
1 x Robbery
42 x Larceny
11 x Fraud
9 x Vehicle Thefts

Breaking & Entering is direct evidence of forced entry.

Property Destruction is direct evidence of damage to property by forced entry or other damages to site.

Robbery is direct personal crimes like holdups.

Larceny is "taking and carrying away of tangible personal property of another by trespass with intent to permanently (or for an unreasonable time) deprive the person of his interest in the property."

Larceny includes property entries with no signs of forced entry, including unauthorised key holders.

Fraud is evidence of forgery and other frauds.

Safes

Choosing a safe is often difficult. I have been asked many times over the years to make a recommendation to customers wishing to purchase a safe.

Before making a recommendation, I feel it necessary to ask some specific questions to a customer to help in determining a suitable product to recommend.

Many people do not understand the ratings systems for safes, probably because there is no written industry standard.

In the early 1990's, I worked for one of Australia's oldest manufacturers of quality safes, Kelly Safe Co PTY LTD. (they closed down in 1995, I believe). Kelly safes were considered a staple of the Australian landscape for about 100 years previously. They manufactured impressive quality safes for many of Australia's institutions, banks, high-society clubs, hotels etc.

The increasing competition from foreign products combined with the significant increase in raw materials cost, saw Kelly become less competitive in later years.

I learned much from my short time with them about how to grade safes.

There are many classifications of safes that are determined by each individual country/locallity as suitable for local conditions. The leading tester in the world (most respected) is known as the Underwriters Laboratory.

The questions I like to ask my clients are:

1. What approximate cash value of personal documents, jewellery, bank notes etc are you looking to secure?

This determines what grade of safe would be suitable for the contents.

2. Approximately how big (dimensions) would the individual pieces of content be for storage?

This determines the necessary internal dimensions of the recommended safe.

3. Are you looking for Burglary Protection, Fire Protection or both?

4. Would you prefer a bolt down facility, free-standing, on castors, wall-mount, floor mount, vault etc?

5. How much are you looking to spend?

The most important question is question #1, because this separates the designations of safes from each other and directly guides a professional to make the most suitable recommendation.

In California, the CDOJ (California Department Of Justice) uses the following terms:

California Department of Justice Burglary Rating (CDOJ)

Regulatory Gun Safe StandardsDOJ regulatory standards require a gun safe to meet either:
All of the following requirements:

1. Shall be able to fully contain firearms and provide for their secure storage.
2. Shall have a locking system consisting of at minimum a mechanical or electronic combination lock. The mechanical or electronic combination lock utilized by the safe shall have at least 10,000 possible combinations consisting of a minimum three numbers, letters, or symbols. The lock shall be protected by a case-hardened (Rc 60+) drill-resistant steel plate, or drill-resistant material of equivalent strength.
3. Boltwork shall consist of a minimum of three steel locking bolts of at least ½ inch thickness that intrude from the door of the safe into the body of the safe or from the body of the safe into the door of the safe, which are operated by a separate handle and secured by the lock.
4. Shall be capable of repeated use. The exterior walls shall be constructed of a minimum 12-gauge thick steel for a single-walled safe, or the sum of the steel walls shall add up to at least .100 inches for safes with two walls. Doors shall be constructed of a minimum of two layers of 12-gauge steel, or one layer of 7-gauge steel compound construction.
5. Door hinges shall be protected to prevent the removal of the door. Protective features include, but are not limited to: hinges not exposed to the outside, interlocking door designs, dead bars, jeweler’s lugs and active or inactive locking bolts.

or All of the following requirements:

1. Is listed as an Underwriters Laboratories Residential Security Container;
2. Is able to fully contain firearms;
3. Provides for the secure storage of firearms.

BURGLAR SAFES:

Burglar safes are usually made of solid steel plate or a combination of solid steel and composite fill material such as concrete. These safes are divided into categories based on the level of protection delivered and the testing endured. Here we will discuss only seven classes: B-Rate, U.L. RSC Rating, B/C Rate, C-Rate, U.L. TL-15, U.L. TL-30 and TL-30 X6.

B-RATE SAFES (ALSO U.L. RSC, RESIDENTIAL SECURITY CONTAINERS):

B-Rate is a catchall rating for essentially any box with a lock on it. The safe industry had an unwritten standard of ¼ inch body, ½ inch door. As steel prices (and shipping costs) increased manufacturers tried many things to reduce their costs. No tests are given to provide this rating. When buying a B-rate safe, look at things such as lock work, hard plates, and relocks.

U.L. Residential Security Container rating (RSC) - This UL rating is based on testing conducted for a net working time of five minutes, on all sides, with a range of tools. See U.L. TL-15 and TL-30 descriptions below for "net working time" description.

B/C-Rate Safes

This is a catchall rating for safes with at least a 1/4" steel body, 1/2 inch door PLUS additional 10 or 12 guage metal layers where composite fire resistant material is also deployed. No tests are given to provide this rating. Look at the lock work, relocks and other features when making your decision.

C-Rate Safes

This is defined as a ½ inch thick steel box with a 1-inch thick door and a lock. As before, NO tests are given to provide this rating. Look at the lock work, relocks and other features when making your decision.


The Underwriters Laboratory information:

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) Ratings
http://www.ul.com

TL-15

Safes given a U.L. TL-15 rating have all passed standardized tests defined in UL Standard 687 using the same tools and usually the same group of testing engineers.Construction Requirements

• U.L. listed Group II, 1 or 1R combination lock.
• 750 lbs. minimum or comes with instructions for anchoring in a larger safe, concrete blocks or on the premises where used.
• Body walls of material equivalent to at least 1" open hearth steel with a minimum tensile strength of 50,000 P.S.I.
• Walls fastened in a manner equivalent to continuous 1/4" penetration weld of open hearth steel with minimum tensile
  strength of 50,000 P.S.I.
• One hole 1/4" or less, to accommodate electrical conductors arranged to have no direct view of the door or locking mechanism.

The label means that the safe successfully resisted entry (i.e. opening the door or making a 6" square opening entirely through the door or front face) for a NET working time of 15 minutes using "…common hand tools, drills, punches hammers, and pressure applying devices." Net working time means simply "when the tool comes off the safe the clock stops". There are over fifty different types of attacks that can be used to gain entrance into the safe. Usually they will try only 2 or 3 based on what they know about the product, and they know a lot.

TL-30

Construction requirements are identical to the TL-15 above. Tests are essentially the same as the TL-15 tests except for the net working time. Testors are allowed 30 minutes and a few more tools (abrasive cutting wheels and power saws) to help them gain entrance. The label signifies the testors were unable to open the door or make a 6" square opening entirely through the door or front face within 30 minutes. Keep in mind these engineers have the manufacturing blue prints and can disassemble the safe being tested before the test begins to see how it works. They know their stuff. TL-30 x 6 - The TL-30 (30-minute) test is conducted on all six (6) sides of the safe.

Other Considerations

When you begin the search for a safe it is a good idea to speak to your insurance agent and see if a particular type of safe will reduce your insurance costs. Many times you can justify the additional expense of a higher security safe because of the premium reduction. Remember no safe is burglar proof, you are buying time. The longer it takes to break in the greater the chance to be caught, and thieves don’t like to get caught.

---

10 Things You Didn't Know About UL's Safe Testing

1. The best safecrackers in the business never steal a penny. They work for UL.
   
   
2. UL has been testing and certifying safes for more than 80 years. The first safe tested for burglary resistance was in 1923 and the first bank vault in 1925.
   
   
3. Chisels, wenches, screwdrivers, power saws, cutting torches, crowbars, abrasive cutting wheels, jackhammers, even specified amounts of nitroglycerin are just a few of the "tools" UL technicians use during a safe attack. The idea is to test safes to worst-case scenarios. They use tools that could be found at any construction site or hardware store. They also analyze blueprints as if the burglar might have blueprints of the design and attack its weakest points to evaluate the safe for certification.
   
   
4. UL's safe attack tests are conducted by a two-person crew. The object is to create an opening large enough to withdraw "valuables" (anywhere from 2- to 6-square-inches on a safe and up to 96-square-inches on a vault), activate the locking mechanism so the door opens or to cut as many bolts from the door as necessary to pry it open before the time specified in the rating requirement expires.
   
   
5. Safes are rated for their resistance to attack against specific tools for a set period of time. There are a dozen different ratings, everything from ATM machines, to gun safes to bank vaults. For example, a safe that bears a Class TRTL-15X6 rating, which might be found in a jewelry store, should resist a hand tool and torch attack for a minimum of 15 minutes. A TRTL-30X6-rated safe, which would protect important documents or store money, should withstand an attack for 30 minutes. The ultimate safe rating-a TXTL60-should withstand an hour's worth of attack that includes the use of 8 ounces of nitroglycerin.
   
   
6. Because of the size and weight of certain safes and vault doors, it is not always practical to have the product shipped to UL's laboratory locations. UL's burglary protection staff has traveled to destinations such as Japan, France, Israel, England, Finland, Taiwan and India.
   
   
7. In addition to burglary protection ratings, UL also rates safes for their fire resistance protection. Class 350 safes protect paper documents, Class 150 safes protect magnetic tape and photographic film, while Class 125 safes protect floppy disks. In addition to the Class Rating, safes obtain an hourly rating for fire resistance-anywhere from 30 minutes to four hours.
   
   
8. Another cool test UL runs on safes is an impact test. This test simulates a safe falling though multiple stories of a building-resulting from a fire that has weakened the structure. After the safe is heated to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit in a furnace, it's raised three stories and dropped onto a pile of bricks. In order to meet the requirement, the safe can't pop open. Temperatures inside can't rise to above 300 degrees Fahrenheit and sample papers left inside have to be readable.
   
   
9. The specialized suits you sometimes find technicians wearing are not just for show. Their entire ensemble, including protective coat, helmet and gloves, protects the crew against the adverse effects of sparking. After all, safety can't be taken for granted, even within the walls of UL.
   
   
10. Safes are just one of the 19,000 product categories that UL tests and certifies. While UL's burglary protection team cracks combinations, shatters glass and fires .44-caliber bullets at body armor, other UL engineers and technicians keep busy testing everything from TVs, coffee makers and holiday light strings to fire extinguishers, medical CAT scan equipment and building materials.

(source...)