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Courtesy Heather Avey, Guymon Daily Herald The Guymon Police Department urges local residents to take precautions against lock bumping techniques used by criminals. This is a technique used by criminals allowing them easy access into locked homes and businesses. This technique is relatively easy for criminals to use. They simply use a specially cut key that is easy to make and simply involves inserting the key in a locked door and bumping the key with a hammer or screwdriver. This causes the door lock to open just as if the key was actually cut for that particular lock. Using this technique allows criminals to enter through most security doors or traditional home doors with ease. According to Guymon Chief of Police, Eddie Adamson, although he hasn’t seen it turn up in Guymon it is something everyone should be aware of. "I learned about this a few years ago in Memphis Tennessee and fortunately have not had any reports of situations that involve lock bumping here in Guymon but it is something that everyone needs to be aware of so they can take steps to prevent it." "Lock Bumping will open over 90 percent of all standard locks and we really don’t want people to have a false sense of security thinking that they have a security lock on their door and it will keep criminals out because most locks on residences and businesses can easily be defeated using this technique," Adamson explained. The Guymon Police Department is offering some tips to their local residents to help prevent lock bumping. "We are aware of a couple of good companies that are making locks designed to prevent lock bumping and those are Medeco, Schlage Primus, and Cyberlock. There may be some others but those are the main ones that are being marketed nationally that I know work," Adamson said. In addition to installing locks to prevent lock bumping, using proven crime prevention techniques also helps deter criminal activity. Chief Adamson offers the following tips: the use of security lighting, burglar alarms, and dogs are some time proven things to make you a harder target for criminals that might target your home or business. Chief Adamson also commented on why he wanted to make everyone aware of this growing trend. "Some people in law enforcement have known about this for a long time but chose to not talk about it because they felt it would encourage criminals to start using this technique, but the fact is they already know about it and are using it. I am hoping that by making everyone aware of the problem they can take steps to protect themselves from the criminal that might try to use it." |
