Just got place broken into, how to add security?

[PandaMechanic]

So I just got broken into a day ago when I was home. I was in the bathroom when it happened and I heard some noise so I opened the door and the thieves ran out leaving the door open and the lock locked. It was a pretty scary event, but my question is what I can do to make my lock unpickable, or at least make it harder so that if it ever happens again, they'll give up because it's too difficult. I have a bottom floor apartment so I think it's going to happen again. I'd feel a lot better if I could figure something out or do something to the existing lock so that it won't happen again. I appreciate any help or advice. Thanks.

[Altashot]

Was the lock picked? Thieves don't typically pick locks. They force the door and/or frame.
I would suggest a http://www.boltbuddy.com/

M.

[PandaMechanic]

That's what I'm wondering. I see the weather stripping around the door bent back, but it was already like that. How exactly do thieves force the door and/or frame? I guess I'd like to know how they do it to figure out a way to prevent them from doing it again. Plus like I said, I don't want to do anything too intense, because I rent the apartment out. It's not my own door and I'm not sure what exactly I can do.

[Altashot]

What do you have on that door currently?
Locking knob and deadbolt?

M.

[atticRR]

Would bet all my Christmas locks that they didn't pick their way in. And that a deadbolt wasn't engaged. Since it's not your place you are somewhat limited, I would definatly get a motion activated alarm to hang on the knob until you have the problem sorted out- at least that way if your inside and it happens again you have some warning.

[Capt_Tom]

You could ask the landlord if you can add some security to the door. A wrap around plate, a class 1 deadbolt and a reinforced strike plate. As for the knob.. A credit card (or pipe wrench) will open most of them. While a higher security latch can help prevent some shimming attacks, I have made an entry tool that will pop most. I would ad a vertical trim device to help prevent shimming the door. Hard to prepare for the pipe wrench..LOL

Good luck

[PandaMechanic]

I just have the deadbolt, that's it.

So I checked the deadbolt and I must have just not engaged that night, because I checked it afterward and I'm pretty sure its deep enough into the wall because I can hear it click and feels like it engages.

Any places for the motion activated alarm on the inside?

So what exactly is shimming the door and a vertical trim device? I don't know too much about lockpicking, but I figure the more I know, the better I can help protect myself. Thanks.

[EmCee]

Nobody can tell you 'exactly' what shimming means because bypass cannot be discussed in open forum according to the forum rules. I presume mods are on holiday because I'm surprised that word hasn't been redacted as has been the case in other threads.

Door/doorset construction and locks are different in the US compared with the UK so I can't offer help on what is available. In the UK I'd be looking at auto-deadlocking nightlatches to protect against 'shimming'. As said, you have to take an overall look at security in terms of door construction. There should only be a few mm gap between door edge and frame - the bigger the gap, the less the bolt will be enclosed in the keep. If you can throw the deadbolt fully it's probably OK...if you throw it and can then get a thin pencil/bradawl/knife/tippex brush in there you can mark the face of the bolt at the point it enters the keep, then carefully open the bolt and throw it again with the door open and you'll see how much of the bolt goes into the keep.

I think the alarm referred to means one of those that you hang on the door knob inside (like you might have when travelling to put on your hotel room door).

It is very unlikely the lock was picked. Definitely talk to the landlord about beefing up security and if you're really worried call a locksmith who will be able to inspect your door/frame/current security and give advice on any improvements and then supply and fit any products correctly (find a local locksmith with a local 'real' address and local telephone number, to avoid sometimes dubious 'national' locksmiths).

[globallockytoo]

depending on the brand of deadbolt, you could just replace the cylinder with a HS cylinder like Bilock or Protec. That would stop anyone dead in their tracks from picking or bumping their way in. And you wont need to replace the existing hardware either. If you need to change it back when you move, just refit the old cylinder.

If the door was kicked in, use a Strikemaster II or similar device to prevent future kick ins. If you want to prevent glass from smashing, use security window film.

[brinard]

perhaps the thieves had a key from a previous tenant? its possible that someone had copied a key from the people who lived there before you... since you had no damage at the time of the break in.


i would start with re-keying the lock (with your apartment manager/landlords consent). or upgrading the lock.

next i would add door armor/ bolt buddy for door/frame reinforcement.

most of the time, criminals wont pick the lock so these options are for door strength and are somewhat removable.