Why Use a Professional Locksmith?
Pick up any newspaper with an article about public concerns
and the subject of crime usually tops the list. It's therefore
surprising that homeowners and building contractors often don't
use the services of a professional locksmith to analyze security
needs for their properties.
For example, the most common practice in new home construction
is to piecemeal the security precautions-using one company to
set up an alarm system, an electrician to hook up outdoor lighting
for crime prevention, and carpenters perhaps to install low--grade
locks and door hardware almost as an afterthought.
Often critical options such as door frame structure, door reinforcement
or floor safes aren't even thought of in time to incorporate
those into the original building process.
"There are almost 10,000 members of the Associated Locksmiths
of America-a number of which are certified locksmiths-available
to builders, business owners and homeowners to ensure the physical
safety of their property and, most important, their employees
and families," says Robert E. Mock, ALOA's president.
"It's puzzling that owners make such substantial investments
in their homes and businesses without taking care to secure them
intelligently." The issue is more significant than just
correct installation techniques. A qualified locksmith can make
recommendations on what physical and electronic systems need
to be chosen in the first place.
Today, the security marketplace is flooded with options often
unknown to those in fields outside locksmithing. Even a vendor
in a related industry who is aware of a new security product
is unlikely to have the judgment or qualifications of a highly
trained and experienced locksmith.
Mock also cites concern about the growing number of companies
that are only aware of, and trained in, a narrow portion of security
service. "More and more, we are seeing companies marketing
themselves as security providers who have minimal exposure to
the security industry as a whole. Especially with the rapid onset
of electronic security in common applications, we are running
into more individuals who have negligible training in physical
security--they have learned overnight to install something that
they do not really understand, and they have little or no background
in deciding whether the product choice is appropriate for a particular
application. Often they are employed by companies that only make
or produce one product; therefore it is unlikely that a comprehensive
security analysis is going to take place for the customer.