Alarms/Lockout calls

[Eyes_Only]

When you go out on an automotive lockout call and the customer has locked and activated the alarm and have lost the keys somewhere, what do locksmiths do to deal with this kinda situation?

[mcm757207]

Usually when someone locks themselves out of their car it's because they locked their keys inside the car, so after your in you make a mad dash for the keys and turn off the alarm.

[Romstar]

I hate to say it, but MCM is right. I wish there were another way, but unless there is an external disarm system, you gotta grab the keys as fast as you can.

To be honest though, why the devil would you care? Other than for the sheer annoyance of the thing.

The owner is there, you are there because of the owner, and anyone asking stupid questions can be directed to the owner of the car, who I will say again is most likely standing right there.

Besides, people have grown so used to these stupid things falsing, that they are almost completely ignored for at least the first minute or even more.

I say, just open the car, and take what comes.
Romstar

[Buggs41]

Besides, people have grown so used to these stupid things falsing, that they are almost completely ignored for at least the first minute or even more.

I have grown so immune to the car alarms sounding. Any time I hear one I think " Hey, dipstick! why don't you read your owners manual! "

The car alarm has to be one of the most stupid inventions ever.

[Varjeal]

I think one of the smartest I've heard of is a guy who took a standard wireless security system and installed it in his van. He also had wireless (ie. cellular) phone communication so that he'd be paged when the alarm went off.

Yes, he had a lot of money, and yes, wayyy too much free time.

[Mad Mick]

This technology is finding it's way into the automotive market already. There are now alarms which keep a regular communication link to the user's remote, within a certain range, and alert via the the remote if the alarm has been triggered, and on which circuit. Maybe the next step could be a 'mugshot' sent to the nearest Police station via a cellular link. Let's face it, a cell phone can be triangulated from known transmitter/receiver locations, so why not have a concealed camera in the vehicle which relays an image to the Police upon a trigger? George Orwell was definitely on the right track, although technology has been a little bit behind his prediction.

[Varjeal]

Hmm...wouldn't be hard to have a security system that when it went into alarm would start a video camera and recorder. It would have to be a silent alarm though or the camera idea would be shot...'course in Canada you would have to have stickers on the outside of the vehicle saying that a video camera was inside, and the recorder would have to date/time stamp. 'Still, a very real possibility, especially with technology available today (ie. micro camera's etc.)

[Mad Mick]

It does make you wonder what is over the horizon. I'll never forget my Grandfather's face when he was shown the one of first digital calculators...the ones with the bubble for each digit and you could see the wires which made up the numbers. This is only like 25 years ago...

[Romstar]

Hmm...wouldn't be hard to have a security system that when it went into alarm would start a video camera and recorder. It would have to be a silent alarm though or the camera idea would be shot...'course in Canada you would have to have stickers on the outside of the vehicle saying that a video camera was inside, and the recorder would have to date/time stamp. 'Still, a very real possibility, especially with technology available today (ie. micro camera's etc.)

Don't need any such warnings in Canada.

In Canada, it is your legal right to audio and video tape your private property. A motor vehicle in Canada is private property.

In Canada, no person has a reasonable expectation of privacy in any place other than their own home unless such expectation has been expressly implied. Such as public washrooms, change rooms, and other such locations which are protected by law.

Furthermore, despite the courtesy of informing a caller that they may be monitored, the law states that you may record any conversation or activity in which you are an active participant.
Further, it is not illegal to photograph, video tape or record any person while they are in a public place such as a resturant, park or other similarly accessable public venue.

Therefore, even your own wife has no expectation of privacy if commiting an act of adultry in your home that happens to be video taped by a camera installed by her spouse. The reasoning for this loophole is that both parties have the right to monitor their residence or property.

Basically, this boils down to one thing. The car is private property, you are recording YOUR property, and it happens to be sitting in a public place. Record away folks.

Romstar

[toomush2drink]

The alarm with a camera has already been on the market over here, i remember reading about it a few years back but it never took off.It was installed in the air vents in the center of the dash and took pictures of who ever was stealing your stereo. I think it was made by toad who have had a few innnovative products. They did the smoke device that filled your car with thick smoke so that you couldnt see a thing, the only downside i could see was that somebody may report your car is on fire and the fire service come along and fill it up with water and wreck it ! Another type of alarm that was about set off a very loud siren inside the car that really hurt your ears so you had to get out fast. There is one on the market now that can text your cell phone when the alarm goes off. Vans are the latest big crime targets now as thieves know that a lot contain tools (easy to sell on) so deadlocks all over it are a must. Even commercial shutter locks are finding their way onto vans now how ever unsightly they are, but it stops the thieving b****ds having a go.

I wish we could shoot these scum over here legally as im sure it would lower the crime rates overnight.

[pickersRus]

I am fairly new to the lockout business so luckily I have not had many alarms go off ( only 3 so far) but I must agree with the others. As soon as the door is open make a mad grab for the keys and turn the infernal blaring thing off. Other than being slightly embarrasssed ( for which there was no need) there is no harm done by setting the alarm off. But if possible find out from the owner if an alarm is installed just for your peace of mind and to keep yourself from having a heart attack when it goes off. Here is wishing you much success in the business.

[Mad Mick]

The alarm with a camera has already been on the market over here... I think it was made by toad who have had a few innnovative products. They did the smoke device that filled your car with thick smoke...

I wish we could shoot these scum over here legally as im sure it would lower the crime rates overnight.

It was made by Toad, and I agree with the shooting. It's not just the damage and inconvenience caused, the invasion of personal space is a major factor, especially for women.

[Freelancer]

Instead of smoke (they actualy used nitrogen in it's gas form to avoid the thief sueing you for smoke inhalation) they should use mace. That would be a deterent.

[Eyes_Only]

All useful advice but what i asked was what if the customer doesnt have the keys in the car either? As in totally lost his/her keys and need new one made. I asked cos my friend let me try an auto opening on his infiniti and it worked but the alarm went off as soon as i flipped open the inside rocker so this incident kinda made me wonder about this. Im interested in the lockout business in the future and wondering what locksmiths do when faced with this kinda situation?

[randmguy]

DOH! Sorry for not reading what you wrote and not what we thought you wrote. It's not really a horrible problem though. You usually only find out that they've lost the keys after several minutes of watching them scrounge around inside the car for them. If they're really gone for good you pop the hood and disconnect the battery to kill the noise. Then, you simply originate a new key for them to start the car and reconnect the battery for them.