Residential & Commercial Security - Locks, Keys & Dead Bolts - Mailbox Lock Vandalism - Advice needed
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Max5000
08-23-05, 10:03 AM
Hi,
Sorry for the long story, but I'm at my wits end, and I hope this forum can help me.
I live in a townhouse complex, the mailbox's are in a bank and I can not see them from my unit.
Very often, someone (kids probably) puts something into the key hole. I have found Gum, wood, paper ect... Most of the time, with a little patience, I can get enough of the stuff out to get the key in and turn it. But I have had to replace the lock a number of times. (By drilling it out and putting in a new one).
This has been going on for years now, and I can't find a solution. The strata say it's vandalism and it's a police issue. The police (who did come out to have a look once) say there is nothing they can do, unless we tell them who is doing it.
So it's up to me to find a solution.
1. Is there a type of lock, suitable to go into a mailbox, that cannot be 'stuffed' with anything except the correct key?
2. Is there a very small combination lock, like a mini safe lock where I don't need a key?
3. Is there a Battery Powered mini camera, I can try and mount somewhere, to monitor the mailboxes?
4. Any other idea's, I'm open to suggestions. Just bear in mind that I cannot see the mailbox. There is not power supply at the mailboxes. This has been going on for years, so whoever is doing it, knows when to do it and not get caught.
Thanks
Sorry for the long story, but I'm at my wits end, and I hope this forum can help me.
I live in a townhouse complex, the mailbox's are in a bank and I can not see them from my unit.
Very often, someone (kids probably) puts something into the key hole. I have found Gum, wood, paper ect... Most of the time, with a little patience, I can get enough of the stuff out to get the key in and turn it. But I have had to replace the lock a number of times. (By drilling it out and putting in a new one).
This has been going on for years now, and I can't find a solution. The strata say it's vandalism and it's a police issue. The police (who did come out to have a look once) say there is nothing they can do, unless we tell them who is doing it.
So it's up to me to find a solution.
1. Is there a type of lock, suitable to go into a mailbox, that cannot be 'stuffed' with anything except the correct key?
2. Is there a very small combination lock, like a mini safe lock where I don't need a key?
3. Is there a Battery Powered mini camera, I can try and mount somewhere, to monitor the mailboxes?
4. Any other idea's, I'm open to suggestions. Just bear in mind that I cannot see the mailbox. There is not power supply at the mailboxes. This has been going on for years, so whoever is doing it, knows when to do it and not get caught.
Thanks
cuedude
08-23-05, 05:07 PM
Hi,
Sorry for the long story, but I'm at my wits end, and I hope this forum can help me.
I live in a townhouse complex, the mailbox's are in a bank and I can not see them from my unit.
Very often, someone (kids probably) puts something into the key hole. I have found Gum, wood, paper ect... Most of the time, with a little patience, I can get enough of the stuff out to get the key in and turn it. But I have had to replace the lock a number of times. (By drilling it out and putting in a new one).
This has been going on for years now, and I can't find a solution. The strata say it's vandalism and it's a police issue. The police (who did come out to have a look once) say there is nothing they can do, unless we tell them who is doing it.
So it's up to me to find a solution.
1. Is there a type of lock, suitable to go into a mailbox, that cannot be 'stuffed' with anything except the correct key?
2. Is there a very small combination lock, like a mini safe lock where I don't need a key?
3. Is there a Battery Powered mini camera, I can try and mount somewhere, to monitor the mailboxes?
4. Any other idea's, I'm open to suggestions. Just bear in mind that I cannot see the mailbox. There is not power supply at the mailboxes. This has been going on for years, so whoever is doing it, knows when to do it and not get caught.
Thanks
Hi Max, and welcome to the DIY Board. Reading your post, I can see there is a need for your getting something done. There is a small, cam type combination lock available on the market, and you should be able to get one through any locksmith. As far as a shield, or something like that, I don't know of any "add-on"s available. Your lock already has a weather door on it. But that doesn't stop something like a toothpick though.
If my thoughts are correct, this is probably happening either early in the AM, or Late PM. And also possibly just after school hours. I used to live in a condo, and mailbox's were fair game.
As far as a Battery operated camera, I don't know of any, but that doesn't mean they aren't available, just that I don't know about them. Maybe some of the other Moderators can assist with this. I do know that if you install something like this, a Notice is required. Something to think about.
Hope this helps, even if it doesn't answer all your questions.
cuedude
Sorry for the long story, but I'm at my wits end, and I hope this forum can help me.
I live in a townhouse complex, the mailbox's are in a bank and I can not see them from my unit.
Very often, someone (kids probably) puts something into the key hole. I have found Gum, wood, paper ect... Most of the time, with a little patience, I can get enough of the stuff out to get the key in and turn it. But I have had to replace the lock a number of times. (By drilling it out and putting in a new one).
This has been going on for years now, and I can't find a solution. The strata say it's vandalism and it's a police issue. The police (who did come out to have a look once) say there is nothing they can do, unless we tell them who is doing it.
So it's up to me to find a solution.
1. Is there a type of lock, suitable to go into a mailbox, that cannot be 'stuffed' with anything except the correct key?
2. Is there a very small combination lock, like a mini safe lock where I don't need a key?
3. Is there a Battery Powered mini camera, I can try and mount somewhere, to monitor the mailboxes?
4. Any other idea's, I'm open to suggestions. Just bear in mind that I cannot see the mailbox. There is not power supply at the mailboxes. This has been going on for years, so whoever is doing it, knows when to do it and not get caught.
Thanks
Hi Max, and welcome to the DIY Board. Reading your post, I can see there is a need for your getting something done. There is a small, cam type combination lock available on the market, and you should be able to get one through any locksmith. As far as a shield, or something like that, I don't know of any "add-on"s available. Your lock already has a weather door on it. But that doesn't stop something like a toothpick though.
If my thoughts are correct, this is probably happening either early in the AM, or Late PM. And also possibly just after school hours. I used to live in a condo, and mailbox's were fair game.
As far as a Battery operated camera, I don't know of any, but that doesn't mean they aren't available, just that I don't know about them. Maybe some of the other Moderators can assist with this. I do know that if you install something like this, a Notice is required. Something to think about.
Hope this helps, even if it doesn't answer all your questions.
cuedude
WGW
08-23-05, 07:31 PM
Hi Max
Like Cuedude said, there is a combination cam lock available that may solve your problem, but the vandalizes might see it as more of a challenge to mess up. Cost may be a factor too. For example, our mailbox locks sell for between 6 and 15 dollars depending on the style...combination cam locks are much more.
Instead of going to the expense of a camera that would likely end up vandalized
or stolen, why not first try just posting notices somewhere out of reach (if possible) advising that the boxes are now under surveillance and any acts of Vandalism will be reported to the police and prosecuted? That alone might be enough to discourage them.
In the meanwhile, I'd suggest keeping your mailbox lock well lubricated so removing debri will at least be an easier task.
Regards
Like Cuedude said, there is a combination cam lock available that may solve your problem, but the vandalizes might see it as more of a challenge to mess up. Cost may be a factor too. For example, our mailbox locks sell for between 6 and 15 dollars depending on the style...combination cam locks are much more.
Instead of going to the expense of a camera that would likely end up vandalized
or stolen, why not first try just posting notices somewhere out of reach (if possible) advising that the boxes are now under surveillance and any acts of Vandalism will be reported to the police and prosecuted? That alone might be enough to discourage them.
In the meanwhile, I'd suggest keeping your mailbox lock well lubricated so removing debri will at least be an easier task.
Regards
Max5000
08-25-05, 12:59 PM
Thanks for the replies..
You are right, to put up a wireless camera would be expensive, and also stolen in less then 24 hours.
And if I put a better lock on, it will probably just challenge the vandall to be more creative.
I think I'll put up a sign saying something to the effect of
"The mailbox's are being monitored, and any suspicious behaviour will be reported to the police".
Worth a try,
Thanks again..
You are right, to put up a wireless camera would be expensive, and also stolen in less then 24 hours.
And if I put a better lock on, it will probably just challenge the vandall to be more creative.
I think I'll put up a sign saying something to the effect of
"The mailbox's are being monitored, and any suspicious behaviour will be reported to the police".
Worth a try,
Thanks again..
594tough
08-28-05, 10:40 AM
Battery operated DUMMY camera are defitely available. A google will get you there. They can offer a deterrent, but are themselves potential targets of the vandals.
Mail boxes come under the jurisdiction of the US Postal Service, and I have found they take this issue very seriously. I would immediately contact the local Postmaster and ask him/her for assistance.
As a last resort, approach the condominium association to consider additional security, either in the form of actual on-site random patrols, or possibly putting an outer gate on the mailbox area. Both of these are expensive and obtrusive.
Mail boxes come under the jurisdiction of the US Postal Service, and I have found they take this issue very seriously. I would immediately contact the local Postmaster and ask him/her for assistance.
As a last resort, approach the condominium association to consider additional security, either in the form of actual on-site random patrols, or possibly putting an outer gate on the mailbox area. Both of these are expensive and obtrusive.