Improvised security systems.

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Sourdough

"Eleutheromaniac"
HCL Supporter
Neighbor
Joined
Mar 17, 2018
Messages
7,791
Location
ALASKA
That sick feeling when realizing I had moved into an apartment with no security. My being a wilderness dweller having just signed a lease and moved into an apartment without keyed door locks. It seems while I was residing in Alaska wilderness for decades, the urbanites decided the exterior doors on apartments should have push button coded door locks.

To compound the issue, these units are intended for something closer to hotel application. These are typically rented for a few days or a few weeks, as this is a world class sport fishing location in the summer. I was only allowed to sign a short-term month to month lease.

No one knows how to change the entry code, not even the owners. Through pure luck I am on the second floor of this upscale four-plex, which helps with security.

They are fully furnished three-bedroom units. So, I stack nearly all the pots and pans, full of silverware and canned goods on stools just inside the exterior doors.
 
That sick feeling when realizing I had moved into an apartment with no security. My being a wilderness dweller having just signed a lease and moved into an apartment without keyed door locks. It seems while I was residing in Alaska wilderness for decades, the urbanites decided the exterior doors on apartments should have push button coded door locks.

To compound the issue, these units are intended for something closer to hotel application. These are typically rented for a few days or a few weeks, as this is a world class sport fishing location in the summer. I was only allowed to sign a short-term month to month lease.

No one knows how to change the entry code, not even the owners. Through pure luck I am on the second floor of this upscale four-plex, which helps with security.

They are fully furnished three-bedroom units. So, I stack nearly all the pots and pans, full of silverware and canned goods on stools just inside the exterior doors.
Glad to read you are in comfortable accomodations.

I have SimpliSafe which only uses double-sided tape for everything except the cameras. Easy to set up. You chose how each device works in home and away modes. If you pay for them to monitor your system, they pretty quick to call to check if all is ok. I accidently activated the panic button on my key- fob and the call from them was lickety split.

You may want to check with a locksmith to see if they can change the code.

These bars will secure a door from the inside.

AceMining Upgraded Door Security Bar & Sliding Patio Bar, Heavy Duty Stoppers Adjustable Jammer for Home, Apartment, Travel (1 Pack,White) Amazon.com

Ben
 
Surely there has to be some form of door lock you could add?
I am open to suggestions. The biggest issue is not my security when I am home, but when I am gone from the apartment. Anyone could enter.

I had a slightly different but similar situation when piloting company aircraft into remote Alaska villages and leaving the aircraft for days at the bush airport. The government installed security fencing with locked access after 9-11 event. However, everyone in the town/village knew the code number to access the parked aircraft, and steal fuel.
 
There are several videos that show how to change the code. There are a few different Kwikset models, so that is important to know when searching for a video that could help you.
I'm more worried about the flame-proof suitcases of cash that he bugged out with :oops:.
Sourdough said: No one knows how to change the entry code, not even the owners.
Any previous resident of that apartment could walk right ingaah.
 
From Kwikset

The steps below are to change your access code to a new code. This will also remove any previous codes stored in the Powerbolt's memory.

1. Manually put the bolt in the extended (lock) position. Press the PROGRAM button once, enter your new 4 - 8 digit code and then press the LOCK button.

2. Press the PROGRAM button twice, enter the same or a new code and then press the LOCK button once.

How do I reset a code on my Powerbolt? | Kwikset
 
From Kwikset

The steps below are to change your access code to a new code. This will also remove any previous codes stored in the Powerbolt's memory.

1. Manually put the bolt in the extended (lock) position. Press the PROGRAM button once, enter your new 4 - 8 digit code and then press the LOCK button.

2. Press the PROGRAM button twice, enter the same or a new code and then press the LOCK button once.

How do I reset a code on my Powerbolt? | Kwikset
Well, there's a problem with that...
Since it is an apartment, the owners must always be able to access it.
If you lock them out, you will be looking for a new apartment :(.
That's why they told him they 'didn't know how' to change it.
If they didn't, every time a girl broke up with an overnight boyfriend, they would be constantly changing them.gaah
 
These locks, all the higher quality ones at least, support multiple access codes. In ours, we have a master code that allows us to add/delete other codes. This master code is never used except during lock programming. Then we have other codes. I don't know how many our locks allow, but it's at least four, because that's how many we have programmed in now.

Also, the higher quality locks also have a key that you can use to bypass the push buttons. Our key is safely stored with all our other important keys. We have never needed to use it. the lock gives us months of warning that the battery is getting low, so there is plenty of time to get that replaced before the keypad dies, forcing you to use the key to get inside if you don't have another house entrance that you can use.

Ours is a Schlage, looks like this:

lock.png
 
Well, there's a problem with that...
Since it is an apartment, the owners must always be able to access it.
If you lock them out, you will be looking for a new apartment :(.
That's why they told him they 'didn't know how' to change it.
If they didn't, every time a girl broke up with an overnight boyfriend, they would be constantly changing them.gaah
That's the apartments problem. Not @Sourdough.
Just don't tell them you did it.
Unless they are trying to access your apartment they will never know.
If they do try to get in just play dumb and say if you can't change it how could I.
 
To be totally honest with you, domestic locks are incredibly easy to pick- I doubt your strike plate is properly reinforced to prevent a solid kick from busting the door in... if someone wants in they are getting in.

Changing the code is a false sense of security. Locks keep honest folks honest- but I don't think your particularly worried about honest folks.

If I were you I'd get a mobile door cam. Better deterrent and you'll at least know if any shenanigans take place.

And people say it's riskier living out in the sticks LOL.
 
That's the apartments problem. Not @Sourdough.
Just don't tell them you did it.
Unless they are trying to access your apartment they will never know.
If they do try to get in just play dumb and say if you can't change it how could I.
I knocked on my tenant's door to let her know that her cousin's car had been running in the street for half hour and that's when I found out she had changed the Schlage lock I had on the door to one of those electronic ones. Told her that the old one needs to be reinstalled when she moves and she would be responsible for any damage to the original oak door if there was an emergency and needed in. If she doesn't want to provide the code, any time there needs to be repairs she will need to be there to give the service access and she'll incur any surcharges for that if the service charges us.

She put it on because of her ex--he was always forgetting his key (he takes care of the kids in the afternoon after school). After the fourth time of coming home from work and finding them all outside in all kids of bad weather, she took matters into her own hands.

Truth be told, I've been thinking of putting one on the main door to the building. Three apartments share a primary entrance door (her apartment also had a secondary private entrance). At various times, the tenants have accidentally locked themselves out while walking their dogs. I do have a "lockbox" on the entrance with a key for emergencies--the number to that box is with our fire department and police department in case of emergency.

Now to @Sourdough 's issue. Call a locksmith and they should be able to override and reset it. Send the bill to your landlord. It had to be done because the code wasn't working and they were unable/unwilling to help you. Better yet, call the landlord and tell them it's not working so they have to do the work.
 
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I changed out all the entry door locks to electronic push button.
It just makes it easier for everyone.
They are not Wi-Fi however.
Like most houses mine would be easy to break into..
I have reinforced the striker plate and use 4" screws so it will not be really easy but a determined thief will still get in.
I do have security cameras covering the entire house but it won't stop thieves.
 
I’ve been stuck renting apartments and know then pains of trying to secure my property. First, an apartment can’t be secured against a motivated and experienced crew. The only way to deal with them is remove anything they’d want. Don’t give them a target, like weapons or precious metals. (A good safe is impractical for an apt. Some of the places i've lived i'd be worried the safe would go through the floor. Much less the trouble of trying to move one up or down stairs.)

That leaves tweakers/druggies who want easy to sell items like tools, a flat screen, cash, pair of good boots etc. These items have to be secured independent of perimeter defense. A cheap apt door isn’t going to stop to a determined druggy.

A couple things I’ve done or seen done to secure individual items…

1) A friend had a small gas cylinder storage locker he put in a closet, metal frame, steel mesh covering. Picked it up at a scrap yard for cheap. He bolted to the studs in the wall via brackets. It had 2 security measures. 1) On the front was a security pad lock. 2) On the back he mounted a Solenoid Lock aka Electric Strike Lock. It opened with power (9vdc battery) or locked with power removed. This was done in his kitchen with a batter kept in a drawer.

Entry was 1 or 2 step.. a) open the security padlock via a key.. b) open padlock and apply power to solenoid.

Could a determined burglar get into it? Sure, but only with a lot of effort and time. Time the average druggy/burglar doesn’t have.

2) Over the years I’ve used aircraft cable in various ways to secure gear in my vehicle and aprtmt, 1/8th inch works nicely. Last time was for my truck bed to keep people from stealing my gear while I’m in a store shopping. The idea is to make it annoyingly difficult and time consuming to steal, not to make it thief proof. See pic’s below…

True story, years ago I was flying a lot for work. Didn’t have a lot to steal but didn’t want to lose what I had. I had an entertainment center similar to the one below, tv, vcr’s, componet stereo system (stock pic).

Using plastic electrical tie wraps and a couple well placed holes drilled into shelves I tie wrapped all the power cords together on the back side and through the shelving. I did it in such a way that everything including the shelves were effective one piece. My aptmt was broken into while I was away. They tried to steal my electronics… unsuccessfully. They did some damage, generally made a mess, but they couldn’t figure out how to get my electronics free.

Link to McMaster Carr, a selection of solenoids, most are 12vdc. McMaster-Carr

Hope this gives you some ideas...

Gas locker 2024-01-02 10-24-54.jpg
Traps (2).jpg
Traps (3).jpg
z ent shelves.jpg
 
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A couple things I’ve done or seen done to secure individual items…

My car "lockbox" is not really applicable to securing an apartment, but maybe it will give others some ideas to try.

I drilled a hole through an ammo can the diameter of a piece of EMT electrical conduit pipe. I cut off a small piece of conduit and used a vise to squash one end flat so it won't go through the hole in the ammo can. Then I drilled holes in the other end of the conduit to insert a lock. I use a bicycle seat security cable to attach the ammo can to the frame of the backseat of my truck. The whole thing fits neatly under the seat.

AmmoCanLockBox.jpg
 
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My car "lockbox" is not really applicable to securing an apartment, but maybe it will give others some ideas to try.

I drilled a hole through an ammo can the diameter of a piece of EMT electrical conduit pipe. I cut off a small piece of conduit and used a vise to squash one end flat so it won't go through the hole in the ammo can. Then I drilled holes in the other end of the conduit to insert a lock. I use a bicycle seat security cable to attach the ammo can to the frame of the backseat of my truck. The whole thing fits neatly under the seat.

View attachment 122182

Excellent idea! People will steal when they have the opportunity. Make something difficult and they'll look for an easier target. It doesn't have to be complicated, unless you want to screw with their head. 🤣
 
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