Abandoned Locks

by **undeadspacehippie** » 9 Jul 2006 16:35

I am facing a dilema... we should never pick a lock that we rely on, nor one that does not belong to us.

I have located in the city 2 locks, an Abus Discus and a Master Pro Series (unsure of model #) that are apparently abandoned. They look like they have been in the same position and state for the past 3 weeks (I have been watching and noting). I wanted to pick the locks, but am not sure if I should. They are not in a private area, they are in the public, secured to chains that are rusty and look like they too have not been handled in many weeks.

So is this a bad thing for me to go and pick these or should I steer clear.... I ask the community for guidance.

by **Raccoon** » 9 Jul 2006 17:18

Are we talking about abandoned locks attached to a bike rack? I've always wondered if people intentionally left these locks to "hold their place" at a frequented bike rack, or if they are just remnents of stolen bicycles.

Every square inch of property is owned by somebody. And every square inch of THEIR property is on property that belongs to someone else. Just go up the ladder until you find a property owner that will give you permission to remove the locks. If they're sitting abandoned on a bike rack, for instance, they proabably look unsightly and the property owner would be happy to be rid of them.

by **unlisted** » 9 Jul 2006 19:43

I wouldn't, just because its not mine. I like the idea about finding the property owner, and asking him.. good idea!

If I was to pick that lock, and got caught in some way, I would also loose my bonding, and that is not good. I NEED that for work.

It comes down to, is this illegal?

by **Raccoon** » 9 Jul 2006 22:06

It's not illegal for the property owner and their contractors.

by **Wolfman** » 9 Jul 2006 22:58

The fact you asked us tells me that you have an un-easy feeling about it.

Perhaps the Greatful Dead could help?

There is a road, no simple highway,
Between the dawn and the dark of night,
And if you go no one may follow,
That path is for your steps alone.

Ripple in still water,
When there is no pebble tossed,
Nor wind to blow.

But if you fall you fall alone,
If you should stand then whos to guide you?
If I knew the way I would take you home.

by **undeadspacehippie** » 9 Jul 2006 23:08

Wolfman wrote:The fact you asked us tells me that you have an un-easy feeling about it.

Perhaps the Greatful Dead could help?

There is a road, no simple highway,
Between the dawn and the dark of night,
And if you go no one may follow,
That path is for your steps alone.

Ripple in still water,
When there is no pebble tossed,
Nor wind to blow.

But if you fall you fall alone,
If you should stand then whos to guide you?
If I knew the way I would take you home.

Your awesome, thanks for bringing up The Dead - I'm a long time deadhead -

I am having a problem with it as I want to open the locks, they have been there forever, maybe I will ask the owners of the proporty like one of the members suggested.

I am not tempted by door locks or anything, but these locks are sitting there, I even noted their positions and orientations -lol

by **Varjeal** » 10 Jul 2006 0:27

You've got the right answer. Ask the property owners, tell them your interested in the locks and have noted their lack of use, offer free removal if they are unwanted.

No harm done and your dilemma will be instantly solved.

by **Raccoon** » 10 Jul 2006 3:15

I can't believe 2 people voted Yes. LOL.

Mods should hack this post and see who's voting unethically. :twisted:

by **Krypos** » 10 Jul 2006 6:32

1) i never read a post before voting, i voted the third option btw, but i was assuming the poll was a general poll, (you know, to pick or not to pick, that is the question, so of course there is no choice, we must)

2) i have a similar problem, near my work, there is a bike rack with like 3 locks locked on there, but they have been there for the last 10months, no one uses them that i know of between the hours of 10am and 10pm. leaving only 11pm to 9am to use them. i doubt it. they are rusty and craptastic. albeit still locks on someone elses property. HOWEVER i dont know whos property it is, its in a shopping center with 30 different stores in it, worse, there are like 10 stores that are like right in front of the bike rack. so anyone could own the land in front of the rack. so i havent bothered touching them.

3) if they were too rusty for me to open, then surely there would be someone watching me do this and if i asked for permission, then couldnt then i look like some dumba$$ and then i have to ride by there all the time on ym way to work and i will look stupid and it will torment me.

just my say in it.

by **undeadspacehippie** » 10 Jul 2006 10:03

I think I am on my way over to the area today to ask the owners of the property. There is a building on the lot, but the lot is huge, could be multiple divisions in it, who knows. I will try.

by **unlisted** » 10 Jul 2006 10:48

When you goto the property, ask a tennant (store, business) who the property managment company/landloard is, and ask for a phone number, or where you can find them. (Some big complexes have a property managment office on site)

Good luck!

by **Wolfman** » 10 Jul 2006 13:54

undeadspacehippie wrote:
Wolfman wrote:The fact you asked us tells me that you have an un-easy feeling about it.

Perhaps the Greatful Dead could help?

There is a road, no simple highway,
Between the dawn and the dark of night,
And if you go no one may follow,
That path is for your steps alone.

Ripple in still water,
When there is no pebble tossed,
Nor wind to blow.

But if you fall you fall alone,
If you should stand then whos to guide you?
If I knew the way I would take you home.

Your awesome, thanks for bringing up The Dead - I'm a long time deadhead -

I was kinda wonderin... I mean, your user name kinda hints at it

by **undeadspacehippie** » 31 Jul 2006 18:14

Went around the store front area and asked the operators who the owner of the property is, the guy is never around.... I will keep trying. I think they may think I am looking for a job though, jobs are pretty scarse ( good ones at least ) around here, so they must get asked a couple times per day if they are accepting resumes... the store is also near alot of high schools and a university.

Also was re-reading the post, Raccoon - sorry I did not answer your question - these are not attached to bike rakes. One is on a post, with a chain going through it like it is supposed to hook up to another chain to prevent through-traffic, but there is no ohter supporting post or eye/loop anywhere in site. The other lock is attached to a park bench, no chains, nothing, just fed through a couple of open spaces in the wire mesh seat bottom and locked on.

by **!*AMP*!** » 31 Jul 2006 20:11

don't you think you're going to get a strange response from the store owner? I mean,

"Hi, I've noticed these unused locks...uh, can I pick them open???"

I'm sorry but I just see that he's going to have a varied response, LOL. Um, but let me know if you get a hold of him...interested in knowing his response, hehe.

by **Shrub** » 31 Jul 2006 21:34

You ask the store owner if he wants them removed free of charge, as its free he cant get at you if you dont remove them,

Picking locks you dont own or have permission to pick is not the thing to do and i have no need to elaborate on whats already been said.

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