Crime Rate - Maryland Heights December 09

Here are the updated crime statistics for the Maryland Heights/Hazelwood localities, as reported by the Maryland Heights and Hazelwood Police Departments, period 11/2/09 - 12/2/09.

Assault - 8

Burglary - 35

Sex Offense - 4

Robbery - 3

Theft - 186

Theft from Vehicle - 4

Theft of vehicle - 16

Paying attention to the number of thefts, it is important to note that many of the reports include theft of services, passing bad checks, credit card fraud.

Recent news reports have been misleading, in that the crime rate for the entire St Louis region have been declining. It is true that the types of aggravated assaults and weapons offenses have and are in decline, thanks to excellent police work by city and county police departments.

But larceny, property damage, theft from dwellings and break and enterings are seeing a trend upward in quantity.

The unemployment rate and cost of living increases, directly affect the crime rates.

Securing your homes and possessions is of cardinal importance to protect yourselves and your families and your properties.

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St Louis Police Department Published Crime Prevention Brochure

Pictured here is the current St Louis Police Department burglary prevention brochure, it makes available to residents in the St Louis County region.

I find this particularly troubling because of the very clear mention there of the recommended use of alarm systems before they suggest you use quality locking devices.

Alarm systems never have been nor ever will be crime prevention devices. They cannot be.

An alarm can only and will only inform that an event is occurring or has occurred. They cannot protect or prevent a burglary or burglary attempt.

On page 2 of this brochure, they go on to indicate the use of deadbolts, however they illustrate a double cylinder deadbolt. Double cylinder deadbolts are not legal according to the International Building Code that St Louis County adheres and subscribes to.

What say you, St Louis Police Department? Do you endorse alarm systems over physical security devices?

I suggest "YES", because every monitored alarm system that sounds, whether false or legitimate, the monitoring companies dispatch police officers to attend and therefore the police charge accordingly to the home owner fees for their attendance. It is a money making scheme hatched between alarm system providers and the police department.

For the complete brochure, follow the link below.

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Electronic Key Cabinet

Many companies, hotels, corporations and especially automobile sellers require sophisticated monitoring and tracking of the keys important to their organizations.

Organized departments require systems that manage effective and useful access control, to maintain security, reduce costs and keep the well oiled machine running at maximum capacity

Enter Key Monitoring Control Units

An easy to use wall mounted system, offering total control and complete management of keys and their use. Keys housed in the Key Monitor may only be accessed by authorized personnel after entering their valid means of identification. Only keys programmed as available to a particular user are shown on the Key Monitor touch screen for release, all other keys are electronically held within the cabinet.

A virtually unlimited number of users and various access levels may be programmed into the Key Monitor onboard computer. Keys may be individually timed and alarmed, ensuring attention is drawn to keys not removed or returned at a designated time. A complete record of the systems operations is retained in the event log which can be viewed onboard or remotely.

Features and Functions:

• virtually unlimited number of keys can be monitored
• networking is by a standard RJ45 connector
• remote monitoring via network option
• multiple sites can be monitored via networking
• event log records store the last 1600 events
• printing to network capable printer for reporting purposes
• touch screen for ease of use
• battery backup allows full operation after mains power failure
• solid metal outer door available (optional)
• duress alarm available with silent output
• can be connected to central alarm system
• virtually unlimited number of access levels available

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Window Security Products

Windows are found in almost every dwelling, building or office worldwide. They have increasingly become an important and vital access point requiring security.

The Jacklock Company Ltd Window and Door Restrictors are purposely designed from high quality materials to increase the desired security and convenience of all types of windows.

Fashionable and surprisingly inexpensive, it is possible to lock/restrict window openings, like never before.

With the increase in crime rates being reported around the USA, since the global financial crisis has affected employment, it has become necessary to secure your properties more than ever.

Now you can secure your windows too.

The Jackloc window and door restrictor was designed with Health and Safety in mind. This was due to the number of restrictors failing and accidents occurring, sometimes resulting in fatalities

For security and safety

• Suitable for every type of opening window or door
• Can be fitted to all materials
• Key lockable—for individual locks or multiples
• The lock will always engage when the key is removed
• Steel rope or chain link options produced to any lengths
• Wide range of finishes—colours to suit
• Security screws are provided for wood, steel, aluminium and UPVC.PLEASE NOTE:
  Both cable and lock should be fitted with screws of a suitable size and design for the individual window construction.
  

Supplied to:

• Health Authorities
• Hospitals
• Local Authorities
• Universities and Schools
• Housing / Sheltered Accommodation
• Day Care Nurseries
• Embassies
  

Commercial use:

• Hotels
• Office Developments
• Window Manufacturers
• Building Contractors
• Charitable Organisations

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Master Key Explained

As a blog author and locksmith, as a business owner and statistician, I keenly watch the results using Google Analytics, of the search terms people use while attempting to gather knowledge that may help them to be more aware when purchasing products or services.

I am noticing a significant number of searches recently about master keying although, it may be due to a cardinal lack of understanding about the principle.

It seems that many searches recently are from people who assume that all deadbolts are master keyed. This is simply not true. It is a fallacy.

A deadbolt, or any other lock for that matter, must be purposely master keyed.

There are no pre-fabricated master keys for residential or commercial deadbolt locks.

In bygone years, manufacturers of some bit-key type mortise deadlocks, did produce some of their ranges with a purposely designed flaw allowing for a "skeleton" key to operate. This skeleton key was often referred to as a Master Key.

There are some manufacturers of coin machine locks or cam locks, that routinely produce their locks to be master keyed. The primary benefit in using master keyed coin or cam locks is for commercial situations like an office complex that uses on-site maintenance to minimize the quantity of keys a janitor or other service person can be required to carry.

Tri-Flow Superior Lubricant

Having worked in the locksmith trade over a quarter century, I have worked with many lubricants over the years. My favorite lubricant and the one I recommend to all my customers is Tri-Flow.

Many tasks I perform for customers often involve repairing locks due to the wrong product having been used, in attempt by an unknowing homeowner or handyman to DIY (do it yourself).

While the DIY industry is one of the biggest, often the advice given may not be correct or may be given by someone with no real experience.

The most common lubricant (and I use the term loosely, here) found in most hardware stores is WD-40.

WD stands for Water Displacement and 40 is the fourtieth formula that achieved it's purpose.

When you displace water, you effectively dry out the application (remove any lubrication).

WD-40 was designed to dry the points on wet motors. It is designed to "dry out" wet metals. It is a penetrating fluid that can temporarily lubricate metal parts, but will dry out (and gum up) as it is designed to do.

I strongly recommend that customers think twice before using WD40. I cannot tell you the number of times I have seen or see it used in locks. Whenever I ask a client, "did you use something to lubricate this lock?" and they answer with "WD40", my standard reaction is "Uh Huh!". This often has them asking what they should use and I always recommend Tri-Flow.

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Opening Cars, Cars and More Cars

It really does seem that there are fewer and fewer companies (who advertise 24 hour/7 day services), not answering the phone as they advertise.

Pictured here is a Ford Contour, similar to one I opened last night.

I open a great many cars and houses for people unlucky enough to lock themselves out. There is a fairly resolute market for automotive locksmithing if that is where you like to focus your skills.

I am happy to unlock any door for a customer however I draw the line at making new original or duplicate keys for the more modern chip key type vehicles. Why? I am glad you asked.

I worked on cars and trucks for many of my first 20 years in the locksmithing trade. I definitely burnt myself out on cars. They do not provide any interest for me any longer. I decided, when I researched my current business, that I would focus on true locksmithing as opposed to automotive services. Was this a wise decision?

The obtrusive cost of the required tools and programming hardware, to enable a complete automotive service is unrealistically high and unaffordable. Unless customers are happy to spend more than the average monthly car payment, it can be a fruitless exercise.

I know many locksmiths who specialize in cars, that spend in excess of $25,000 annually just to keep their tools and equipment up to date. They are required to charge significantly expensive prices to their customers, to be able to continue offering auto services.

Not where I focus. I prefer to offer residential and commercial solutions that provide security with aesthetic appeal and form and function. Specializing like this, enables me to offer very competitive pricing.

I will still open cars for those in an emergency and I do not advertize 24 hour service, but if i answer the phone, I will come out and help you if you are nice.