Crime Statistics

Living in the St Louis Metropolitan area, I thought it might be advantageous to develop a monthly report here, listing the quantity of robbery, break and enter and theft statistics reported to police departments in various metropolitan localities.

It is my intention to display a new report monthly, based of information obtained by participating police agencies.

I will not list the actual addresses but I will try to give numbers of instances in Robbery, Burglary, Theft and Alarms.

The first area reported is Maryland Heights, MO. 30 days 9/23/08 - 10/23/08



62 Alarm reports - Burglar in house
10 Break and Enters
4 x No Force Entry
5 x Forced Entry
1 x Attempted Entry
27 Property Crimes
14 x Damage to Private Property
3 x Trespassing on Private Property
6 x 1st Degree Property Damage
1 x 2nd Degree Property Damage
3 x Damage to City Property
1 Robbery Report
60 Theft Reports
23 x Motor Vehicle Related
2 x Coin Machine Thefts
10 x Building Related Thefts
9 x Passing Bad Check
2 x Identity Theft
14 x Other
5 Motor Vehicle Thefts.


Being in the physical security industry, it is astonishing to discover the quantity of reported crimes. One has to wonder about all the non-reported crimes too.

As a locksmith professional and physical security equipment provider, Locks210.com installs many state of the art products that are designed to protect from crimes of these nature.

To find out how we can help you to protect your property from potential crimes, contact us for an obligation free assessment.

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Why do Car Keys Cost So Much?

I recently came across an article, in another locksmiths website (C&R Mobile Locksmith - Belleville Il), that explained the story of car keys as it relates to modern times.

There is a little history of car keys, a little explanation of why original manufacture or duplication of keys costs so much and some of the theory behind the introduction of these keys.

A former ALOA representative also chimes in to explain why locksmiths also tend to charge relatively high prices for duplication or original manufacture.

At the time of the article (2002), it was not uncommon for some locksmiths to have paid in excess of $50,000.00 for the suitable equipment required to provide services to requesting customers. Today, it is substantially cheaper to purchase the modern equipment necessary if a locksmith were to consider adding auto-transponder keys and services to the inventory of products, but even so, the prices for making duplicates is considered astronomical. The prices for originals (if you have lost yours, say), is through the roof and sometimes in excess of the monthly car repayment.

If you want to read the entire article, click on source below.

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Locksmith Services Pricing - A Little Bit Of History

As a St Louis Locksmith, I am often asked about pricing and costs and why they vary greatly between companies.

I recently came across an article first written in June 1989 for The New York Times, that described the process and prices that various locksmiths charged for their specialized services at that time.

Being 20 years later, it seems that many of the prices have reduced or barely increased, all the while, cost of materials, cost of living and wages have all increased in comparisson.

Many customers, even today, continue to perform price checks to compare different companies services and products.

June 1989 Article in The New York Times

Given the current economic doom and gloom, it is great that most of the locksmith industry continues to maintain considerate pricing of their goods and services.

Strikemaster II - Product Selling Fast

I must admit I'm not surprised that more people are ordering this fantastic product as it truly saves people money, time and effectively secures their homes.

Demand is strong and I am finding the need to order in increasing quantities.

Another customer suffered a break in where the exact purpose of the strikemaster was designed for. The door, being of solid construction and very good quality, the lock being of reasonable security and aesthetics, did their job properly, but the Jamb (where the door closes into) was made from light grade pine that was 1" x 2" in size. It broke with a small kick from a burglar and almost completely shattered the door frame.

The customer had inquired as to how much to get the whole frame replaced, elsewhere, before contacting me. My solution was the most economical and most aesthetically pleasing, negating the need to replace all the carpentry. The client saved 100's of dollars on the job as a result.

In many customers homes, their actual front doors (or back doors) may be constructed using metal casings (on the door itself), but the actual jamb (where the door closes into) is usually made from wood. Whilst the door may be reasonably strong enough to withstand an attempted forced entry, the jamb is usually not. Enter Strikemaster II.


Locks210.com is pleased to make this product now available to residents and businesses in St Louis.

StrikeMaster II offers a unique and innovative solution to prevent burglars from entering your home, StrikeMaster II strikes-back instantly. Its patented strike plates make the door casing virtually unbreakable.

The easiest way for a criminal to get into your house is just too kick-in your door! The FBI says every 12 seconds a home is invaded by going right through the front or back door. Open your front door and look at the dead bolt plate. There is one inch of soft wood protecting the safety of your home - your door casings can not protect you from a thief kicking your door

How much does a StrikeMaster II cost? $109.95 plus shipping/handling and installation.

A former police officer was recently quoted. "I am a retired Chief of Police with more than 30 years in law enforcement and security and have investigated 1000's of residential burglaries and domestic assaults that were due to the crashing or kicking in of the doors at the home. .... I am proud to announce that I have seen an amazing new product called the StrikeMaster II. This is inexpensive and stronger than any would-be homicidal maniac, I promise... the security market has finally produced a product that is better than locks and alarms. I highly recommend this product on all your outside doors at your home." - Donald Purnell CLL, CFE, Director of Security, Sentry Watch, Inc.

There are numerous testimonials to the quality of this product. One in particular is:
"On the 16th of May, 2005, our home in Chicago was broken into by thieves who shouldered/kicked their way in, through 3 separate doors, one entry and two apartments. A considerable amount of valuables and memorabilia were stolen, including identity theft. Upon observing the 'ease' of entry by these thieves, we set about investigating door protection measures on the internet.
After observing a very graphic video on the 'Safe Home International' site, we ordered the StrikeMaster II for overnight delivery, with the caveat that we would do a 'real-life' test after installation. My installer naturally had his doubts, as I asked him to kick and shoulder the door, after the product was installed. He asked me who would pay for the door frame repair 'in case it didn't work as advertised,'I said I would be responsible, since the safety of our family and property was of utmost concern. I weigh in at 240 lbs and I 'shouldered/kicked' the door three times, without it's failing. My installer, who closely approximates the LARGE individual in the graphic video, had at the door next. He shouldered it twice and kicked it last, his size 11 shoe imprint is still on the back door, although the wall seemed to 'bow in,' the door did not budge. My installer came away convinced, and I came away satisfied, that I made my Family and my Home that much more secure.
The cost/benefit ratio as well is definitely in favor of the StrikeMaster II in comparison with other devices currently on the market. To say that we are more than pleased with the results we obtained from the product, as well as it's support, would be an accurate assessment. -APA Chicago"

Deadbolt Tough As A Tank

This sensational new product is built from high-grade materials, enabling it to stand up to some of the toughest and roughest attacks.



The AP501 Advanced Protection Security Deadbolt uses new technology that has been rigorously tested to meet the highest standards.

Zinc-Alloy and Steel construction. Fail-safe weatherproofing. Locksmith and lockpick-proof Tag Key. Weighing over 6 pounds, we call this lock "Tank Tough".

	Incredibly Weatherproof The lock is fully functional in sustained temperatures of -35 degrees Fahrenheit, and up to +130 degrees Fahrenheit. Waterproofing allows it to resist rain and moisture of tropical storm proportions.
	Incredibly Fast Momentarily hold your Tag Key key to the lock, and the deadbolt releases - no key holes, no opportunity to be picked.
	Incredibly Easy Easy to install, impossible to take down. The AP501 is specifically designed to adhere to North American door standards, so in most cases, the AP501 will simply replace your existing deadbolt - the only tool you'll need is a screwdriver.

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Supra Key Box

• Trusted by real estate agents for over 40 years
• Easy access for friends and family
• Provides scheduled access for cleaning
personnel, pool service, household maintenance
and unattended deliveries
• Securely mounts to most flat surfaces with
4 screws provided
• SURFACE MOUNT UNIT
• WEATHER RESISTANT METAL within
Titanium Color
• WEATHER RESISTANT, HIGH IMPACT
PLASTIC BUTTONS

$40.00

Sound Proof Doors

THX has more uses then just making a starship battle sound awesome you know. That’s why THX has partnered with Serious Materials to develop some new sound proof doors. The QuietHome soundproof doors are the 2 1/4-inch thick THX-certified doors that claim to be a full 85% acoustical improvement over any other sound proof doors.

How does it work? QuietHome Doors incorporate Serious’ proprietary viscoelastic polymer-based constrained layer damped system, a multi-layer design and advanced seals throughout the door edge. The doors are made up of stainable wood, and come in a pre-hung door package. You wouldn’t want to just replace your front door with it. Well, maybe you would if you are super loud. Your neighbors would appreciate it. But it’s designed for high-end home theaters, commercial studios, offices and conference rooms etc. The doors will cost you $2,500 and will block out so much sound your neighbors will think the place is vacant.

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Master Ipod Security Case

iPods are Hot!

iPods and MP3 players have quickly become some of the most popular and widely used portable media players with people of all ages. Their frequent use while people are on the go and are less attentive to their surroundings – and the visible white ear buds – have made them an easy target for would be thieves in urban areas, on campus, and on public transportation systems. Without built–in anti–theft deterrents or subscriptions, iPods and MP3 players are left fully operational if stolen.

Your iPod Security Solution

With these factors in mind, Master Lock^® created the iPod iCage™, a locking skin for protecting your iPod player. The iCage creates added security and convenience to your media player with a lightweight metal skin, scratch resistant cover, and set-your-own combination lock and cable. Most iPod users purchase a skin for scratch protection – why not buy a skin that adds a convenient security solution as well?

The following statistics are a few years old, but with the quantity of Apple products and other MP3 players ever increasing, so is the quantity of crime related to these devices. And dont forget the unreported instances.

iPod Theft Statistics

National statistics are not detailed enough to tell how many robberies involved iPods, but statistics from New York, Washington, DC, and the San Francisco Bay area show that iPod thefts were responsible for a significant fraction of increased crime in those areas. Things got so bad in New York subways in 2005 that warnings were posted that read "Earphones are a giveaway. Protect your device.”

• Washington D.C.
  
  • From January through April 2007, 30 iPods were stolen from Metro customers. iPod thefts totaled 34 in all of 2006, and just two in 2005. (Washington Metro Area Transit Authority)
  • 2007, robberies of iPods on the Metro alone account for approximately 4% of all robberies in the city, compared with well less than 1% of robberies in 2005.
• New York
  
  • In the first three months of 2005, major felonies rose 18.3% on the New York City subway — however, if cell phone and iPod thefts are excluded, felonies actually declined by 3%,
• Washington
  
  • March 21, 2007, exact numbers in Seattle are hard to pin down, but the latest police figures show 135 iPods have been stolen, many by force, over the past 3 1/2 months.
• San Francisco
  
  • There were four reported iPod robberies in 2004, 102 in 2005, and 193 in 2006.
  • 2004-2006, iPod robberies accounted for 23% of the increase in robbery in the entire city over that time.
• Los Angeles
  
  • Police statistics indicate that robberies of iPods and cell phones are up 34 percent this year, accounting for about 1,700 of the city’s 8,000 total robberies. (LAPD November 9th, 2006)
  
  
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