Comment on Park benches don't "open" until 10am
gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works 2 days agoJust so you know, if a cop ever catches you with lock picks, depending on the jurisdiction, they may try to arrest you for possession of lock picks with intent to burglarize (in the US, at least). Not saying you shouldn’t - but be mindful of what the potential legal hazards are in the worst case.
EggInDisguise@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 days ago
I’m well aware, and unfortunately I am in one of those states. If they ever decide to search me and my purse, they’ll find it.
Mere possession is considered proof of criminal intent. But I also always have a clear acrylic lock and easy padlock to show interested people how to pick a lock. It’s fun and cheap as a hobby. So if I ever do get caught, at least I can make the argument of it being a hobby more convincing. I don’t really expect to get off easy because of that, but if I’m ever caught and searched by cops, having a set of lock picks will probably not be my biggest concern.
SirSamuel@lemmy.world 2 days ago
Locksmith here. I’m also in a state with these laws, and on top of that there is no licensing for locksmiths. I’m an ALOA member now, but when I first started I would carry a card for my friend’s lock shop. I figured I’d I ever was stopped and searched I could at least present the card as part of a broader plausible deniability. Similar to your acrylic lock. If you have a locksmith shop in your area, grab one of their cards and keep it in your purse. Ideally in your lockpick set if it’s large enough.
Also, a PSA. “Officer safety” does not trump the fourth amendment. If an officer orders you to let them search your purse for “officer safety”, anything found that isn’t related to the safety of the officer is out of bounds legally. That’s an argument for court tho. Make sure that they clearly state they are ordering you to have over your purse/bag/backpack/whatever. If they say “I’m asking you to”, that’s not an order. Saying something like, “With all due respect, I’m not surrendering my fourth amendment rights. If you order me to do something I will comply, and we can argue in court later. I want us both to get home safe tonight.” This shows you’re not volunteering to hand over your stuff, but you’re not resisting, hampering, or obstructing either. It’s a lot to remember, but “is that an order?” Is a great question to ask anytime a cop tells you something
Murse@slrpnk.net 2 days ago
Do not say that to a cop. If it’s taken as threatening, they can use that justification to escalate. And if it can be taken as threatening, it will be.
“I don’t consent to any searches, but you have my full cooperation with any action you feel you have probable cause to do.” “Why?” “I’d prefer not to elaborate without a lawer present. Am I free to go?”
Lots of ‘sir, ma’am, please, thank you’ etc; if they ask for your ID and it’s in your purse, say something like “It’s in a wallet in my purse, I’m reaching in to get it” (and do so slowly) but otherwise say as little as possible.
Axolotl_cpp@feddit.it 1 day ago
The fact that you have to explain them that you are reaching for you wallet like if they have a mental illness, seems crazy that it’s necessary to not be shot to death
SirSamuel@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Fair point, yeah
HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 1 day ago
do you have a nice starter lock you like? i’ve got one of LPL’s genesis sets (intent has to be proven in my jurisdiction and i dress too ridiculously for them to prove intent) and a bunch of shitty locks. I don’t really have a favorite yet
EggInDisguise@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 day ago
Honestly I just grab any locks I find while out (like if I find one on the side of the road) and occasionally when I see a cheap-but-not-masterlock I contemplate buying it for shits and giggles.
For a starter lock, I have several master locks that range from the cheap “smack it to open” to actual security pins, but I always want them to be easy to pick so I can introduce people without overwhelming them.
My favorite is one that I… appropriated from a previous job (accidentally took it home and forgot about it) it’s a security lock shaped like a circle to keep people away from the shackle with security pins AND can false set. It’s the “oh so you think you’re hot shit because you got 3 locks open?” lock. I’ll have to dig through some moving boxes to find the brand