A True Story About A Very Good Lock
By Reporter Joseph Toth
Washington Micro Bank BBS
Submitted 09-01-08
I was headed out for some country photography and stopped by my friends farm to see if he wanted to go along. As I pulled into the yard, I saw him working on his shed. He told me he just put a fifteen dollar lock on his shed to protect the stuff inside. I looked at the lock, yes he did buy a very nice lock. I told him that was a very strong lock, but I could get in his shed in less than thirty seconds with that lock on there. In disbelief he denied my ability to do so, … then finally said “okay Sergeant (in reference to my carrier), don’t just tell me, … you’re the loss prevention expert, show me. I’m telling you to educate me. Go ahead and actually do it.”
I asked if he was sure he wouldn’t get mad if he had to fix something after the demonstration. He insisted it was okay and wanted the demonstration. I went to my truck and came back with just a standard 8 inch side cutters. He saw the tool of my choice and then started shaking his head back and forth in disbelief with a big smile on his face.
I put myself in front of the door and put the tool in place. Then with all the strength in my shoulders and arms, I squeezed. Within five or six seconds a sharp loud crack was heard through the yard. I stepped away from the door as his new lock fell to the grass. As the shed doors started to swing open I said “well lets see, if I were a criminal I guess I’d have two riding mowers, two push mowers and some weed eater machines.”
My friends jaw was hanging down on the ground as he looked down at his lock laying in the grass. It wasn’t securing his door anymore. It laid there on the ground, still brand new, still a very good lock, … and untouched by me or my tool of choice. That’s right, untouched.
It wasn’t the lock I defeated, it was the cheap and cheesy hasp he put it on.
I told him to jump in the truck and I’ll take him to a store where we can buy a hasp that will be a match for his new lock.
He just stood there for a few seconds and then said in sincerity “okay, but take another look at my shed. After we replace the hasp, … is there any other way to get in.” I looked at him saying “I don’t have to look again, … I know there is another way in.
Do you want me to get my cordless and show you?”
He got a surprised look and said “how can you get in with a cordless?”
I pushed the doors shut and showed him this is a old wooden shed with old school barn type hinges. (he nodded as I had his full attention) I went on to show him in the old days this is all you needed, but not now days.
These hinges were held on with large Phillips screws that face the outside. He understood and asked how to stop that from happening. I told him that while we’re getting the new hasp, … we can also replace these phillips screws with carriage bolts that can’t be unscrewed from the outside.
My friend was all for this. He yelled to his wife who was playing with the kids to watch things because we’re going to the store.
If you really value something make sure it’s secured correctly.
