A question regarding ethics and wild locks

[Deadlock]

Have you seen this? Love locks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_locks

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_locations_with_love_padlocks

It doesn't go on in my area. Just as well, saves the temptation!

Gotta be a business opportunity for a locksmith with a metal bridge, or even a chain-link fence near the shop. Buy some cheapo flat sided Chinese padlocks, advertise the "Love Locks" idea, and engrave the names of the couple on a padlock so they can fix it onto said bridge/fence. Kerching!

[GWiens2001]

Maybe get the property owner's permission to put a tag on each possibly abandoned lock listing the date, and that if the tag is still present on the lock at the end of 30 days, it will be considered abandoned and will therefore be removed. If the person does not wish the lock to be removed, please remove the tag, and it will not be considered abandoned. Also, when the tags are placed on the lock (with the owner's permission), inform the local police of the tagging of the locks and the date. You should have the tags printed, and possibly have a unique number for each tag. Loop the tag through the shackle of the lock, and staple the ends together, so customer removal of the tags is not a hassle.

At the end of the 30 days, again get the property owner's permission. If the property owner still is willing to authorize the removal of the locks, let the local police know that persuant to previous police notification on XX date, the locks have been considered abandoned for more than 30 days, and the owner has authorized you to remove the locks. If the local police have no problems, then remove the locks.

The bike racks with the locks that I am thinking of are at a local business, and the racks are heavily used. There must be 30 locks that appear to have been there for months, so they would get in the way of those who wish to use the rack.

Do not remove a lock that is actually securing something.

The benefit to the property owner and/or business is the abandoned locks are removed, leaving space for customers. The owners of the lock have the opportunity for a whole month not to remove the lock, but to simply remove the tag from the lock. The police have confirmed that the abandoned locks can be lawfully removed, and have been informed of the process and time. You will have done due diligence in making sure that you are permitted to lawfully remove the locks, and that the locks are truly abandoned.

Gordon

[Anarchy_won]

I am going to throw in my 2 cents, If its not on your property (or a property where you are acting on behalf of the property owner) then I don't even think of picking the lock. I am not going to do anything that will get me in trouble or make locksport look bad.

There is a lock fence near one of the local rivers. I know the locks are abandoned (and there is around 75 locks last time i was there) , the area is at the edge of a park and I know the fence is owned by the township. Will I pick these locks? No, Why? BECAUSE I DON'T OWN THEM!

I know abandoned locks are tempting to pick, But if you get in-trouble it not only affects you, but everyone that's a member of our sport, lets not stretch our ethics to fit the end goals, everyone of us are ambassadors between use and the public and there is some people who would love to make our sport illegal.

again this is just my 2 cents.

[Altashot]

I am aware of those "love locks" being removed by the city, county or whatever.
They see it as pollution and public nuisance.

There probably is a way, after checking with local authority, to remove them as a free public service, a lock recycling program or
just because you want to beautify you city by removing this pollution. If you presented yourself that way, it be hard to refuse.

M.

[jupiter11d7]

Did a little research on the subject, what I found doesn't apply to locks left behind on bike racks, but it could apply to locks left behind on bridges and fences. This is how The Open Organization Of Lockpickers (TOOOL) handles the subject of "Love Locks".

http://toool.us/lovelocks.html

I think this is a good approach to ethics involving these locks. However, the safest thing to do would obviously be just to leave these, and all other "abandoned" locks alone.

[Deadlock]

Nice one jupiter11d7, interesting link.

[Violaetor]

Cars sit in police impound lots for long times get rusty and don't get driven. Would you go in there and pick them open?

[PhoneMan]

My input? I'd ask the property owner/ management about any abandoned locks. it's ultimately their call. If I had a lock on my fence that someone else left, I feel I have every right to take it off, as it's on my property. (obviously, if I know who's it is, I'd try and contact them to take it off first)
Just ask someone who has the authority to decide what should be done, such as a store manager, property owner, etc.

That said, I also agree with the fact that if it's not yours/ on your property, and you don't have permission, leave it be.

[Neilau]

I agree with the opinions that " If it ain't yours, leave it alone - unless you have permission".

I think that there is something else to consider.

If you are found to be carrying picks, outside of home and you are not a licensed Lock Smith, you could be arrested and charged with possession of burglary tools etc. and if you are caught using them ????

Perhaps some of our LE members could shed more light on this aspect of the topic.

[Mur670]

Hypoerthetically if I were to go about doing this I wouldn't go using picks etc. a pair of bolt cutters would suffice. I believe all the opinions put forth so far are good. I like the idea of involving the local LE but being in Australia I don't know if I'd get told to 'stop wasting police time'. I think by 'selling' it as a service to the community is a good idea also. Cheers everyone and I'm glad this has become a popular topic

[Alaphablue]

Don't let those rusty crapola locks take space in you lock hunts there are much better places to find free or cheap locks . Most of the time those locks are not worth picking off . Dumpsters are a good place for free locks I do property leasing and management for strip malls and a few drug stores every time we get new tenants they usually toss the old locks , in my car if there renovating they will have a dumpster full of goods . Get to know the managers for your local malls buy coffee ask if you can salvage some door hardware . If they know you they will not think twice about you learking around

[NovaPick]

If you want to pick locks in the wild, then make sure they are your locks.

Secure a lock on your own property, of that you have permission to, and let it weather for a year or so. If you want a nice test, secure several of the same locks at the same time and pick one a year, so you can see the effect of weather on a lock from year to year.