I Locked My Car Keys In My Car

Q: O Jan 30th, 2008, I locked my keys inside my car with the engine on. I called the police and I got a response which annoyed me greatly. "We don't do that, ma'am." Do you think that opening people's car doors is an insignificant task and one should be
left on one's own? I lived in Berrien Springs, MI before and I did the same thing in the bitter cold and someone came to open my door. What I would like to know is why you don't do that?

A: The reason SBPD does not offer any lockout assistance for non emergency situations is primarily due to liability purposes. Modern vehicles often have more complex and anti theft measures built into them to prevent "slim jimming" of a door lock rod. As such, potential for vehicle damage, and subsequent requests by people wanting the city to reimburse them for the goodwill of trying to help is the primary reason why this is no longer done, and has been the policy for approximately 8 years now.

If you lock your keys in the car, locksmiths often have better equipment and options to assist you getting into your car for a nominal fee. In fact, officers are not issued any sort of door unlocking equipment to even be able to do so, with the exception of a window glass shattering punch, to be used in emergency situations, (such as medical emergencies, or if small children may be locked in a hot vehicle, etc)