defeated by a kwikset

[Squirrel_Cop]

So, I've been a novice at lock-picking for about 5 years now. I've used it as an extension of my job as a police officer. I have learned by trial and error, and by books. I have become what I would consider an 'advanced beginner'. Which is to say that I can struggle through some locks, some of the time. Yesterday, I got a call from a Sergeant in my District. He asked if I could help him with a welfare-check call. I had opened two Sargent knob locks at our station that morning, so I was feeling pretty ninja. I got there, and saw that it was a kwikset deadbolt and a knob lock. I was thrilled, because I had purchased a kwikset clinder earlier in the week and had been practicing it in my cruiser with great success.

...did I mention that it was almost 100 degrees?

So after a quick look at the set up, I picked the un-marked garage door lock, and proceeded to open the garage door...exactly 3/4 of an inch...and then the door-opener engaged and I couldn't get up any further.

...An hour later, I had doffed my armor, sweat literally dripping off my face onto the floor. Sergeant and his squad ribbing me relentlessly...neighbors coming out and asking how come it looks so easy in the movies.

...I gave up.

Ugh.


since then...I have registered for a Law Enforcement lock-picking course and ordered the Foley Belsaw course.

[criminalhate]

lol I think we have all ran into situations like this. It seems everytime I try to pick a lock in front of anyone I can never open it.

[Evan]

Squirrel_Cop:

It sounds like your fail was due to the garage door opener mechanism doing its job properly rather than any sort of indicator of your skills at lock picking...

Why did you try to attempt entry via the vehicle door to the garage anyway ? Odds are you would have had to pick another lock on the entry door from the garage to the house anyway...

Front door would have been one door to open to gain entry... Should have attempted entry there...

~~ Evan

[Schuyler]

Haha, we all go through it, man. I've had a couple of brutal failures over the years, but I promise it gets better. Just today I accidentally locked my keys (and picks) in the car at the hardware store. Thankfully I keep a Bogota rake in my wallet & walked the curb until I found a street sweeper bristle. Made myself a tension wrench and popped it in a few seconds.

[SquallLHeart]

^^ that.. is an awesome story.

street sweeper bristles are a rare find for me though... i've never been able to find one... but i know the sweepers exist. i've seen them around my area... just... never found any bristles that broke off..

[gilduran]

I've had plenty of those days too. I don't do this as a part of my job, though, just as a hobby. But I've got a few locks that I can open very quickly some days, and have to give up after 30+ minutes other days.

I can't say I've ever seen a street sweeper bristle around my neighborhood, but then I don't think the street sweepes in my area use metal bristles.

[Schuyler]

Boston is a city constantly under construction so they sweep the streets just as constantly. As much as I look forward to getting the heck out of dodge some day, I know it'll limit the number of bristles I can find in a pinch. I literally found two between the door to the hardware store & the door to my car. Maybe 20 yards, tops.

[globallockytoo]

As a police officer and someone whom the public would trust to know better, why would you not call in a professional?

The police can be very helpful but they are paid to be police officers not locksmiths.

As a lock picking community, we frown upon picking locks in use, yet it seems to be differently so in this case.

[Schuyler]

There is a HUGE difference between some kid picking his Mom's front door and a police officer, at the bequest of his Sargent, aiding the department in a welfare check.

[Squirrel_Cop]

Squirrel_Cop:

It sounds like your fail was due to the garage door opener mechanism doing its job properly rather than any sort of indicator of your skills at lock picking...

Why did you try to attempt entry via the vehicle door to the garage anyway ? Odds are you would have had to pick another lock on the entry door from the garage to the house anyway...

Front door would have been one door to open to gain entry... Should have attempted entry there...

~~ Evan

I just re read my post and realized I wasn't clear. I got the garage door lock and when I couldn't open it due to the opener, I spent the remainder of my time on the front door locks.

[Squirrel_Cop]

^^ that.. is an awesome story.

street sweeper bristles are a rare find for me though... i've never been able to find one... but i know the sweepers exist. i've seen them around my area... just... never found any bristles that broke off..

I know exactly how you feel!

I have a plan, that if I ever run across a street sweeper in use, Im going to follow it until I have a hand full of bristles.

[Squirrel_Cop]

There is a HUGE difference between some kid picking his Mom's front door and a police officer, at the bequest of his Sargent, aiding the department in a welfare check.

This.

On another occasion, several years ago, a similar welfare-check call went out. I monitored the call on the radio, and went to the scene after the officers were unable to find a key-holder for the apartment. The circumstances of the call weren't such as to authorize a forced, destructive entry. I picked the lock successfully and located a woman who had attempted suicide by cutting her wrists and failed, she had then overdosed herself on medications and was fading out in her bed. Had I not picked the lock, she would have certainly died, because the officers were planning on leaving the scene.

[globallockytoo]

There is a HUGE difference between some kid picking his Mom's front door and a police officer, at the bequest of his Sargent, aiding the department in a welfare check.

So I presume you condone police officers performing tasks they are not trained for?

I wouldnt want to be the insurance company for them.

If the police officer is a bonafide locksmith....fair enough....but a hobbiest? c'mon man! really?

[Schuyler]

Listen, I'm a pretty hard core libertarian, so if you want to get into what I think police should or should not be doing, that's worth a thread of it's own. I'm just saying that there is an important difference between this situation and the typical one we see on here and I don't think this guy needs a dressing down. ESPECIALLY when he made it clear that this failure has led to deeper commitment, even going so far as to start the Foley-Belsaw course. He is literally becoming a trained Locksmith, so lay off of him.

[Squirrel_Cop]

There is a HUGE difference between some kid picking his Mom's front door and a police officer, at the bequest of his Sargent, aiding the department in a welfare check.

So I presume you condone police officers performing tasks they are not trained for?

I wouldnt want to be the insurance company for them.

If the police officer is a bonafide locksmith....fair enough....but a hobbiest? c'mon man! really?

Sir,

I'm not trying to start any trouble here. I see your point of view. I'm not a trained locksmith by any means, but it is a niche in Law Enforcement that I feel is legitimate.

Also, on a lighter note, here are some other occupations that I routinely perform on an amateur basis:

-stunt man
-taxi driver
-human punching bag
-boxer/wrestler
-marriage counselor
-child psychologist / surrogate parent
-family therapist
-driving instructor
-suicide hotline operator
-dog catcher