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Crenshaw Lock

High Security Locks in Pasadena · 24/7 mobile

High Security Locks in Pasadena, California

Crenshaw Lock Company installs pick-, bump- and drill-resistant high security locks and restricted keys throughout Pasadena, California. We are a fully mobile locksmith available 24/7, and we come to your home, apartment court or storefront. Call (323) 997-8867 to talk through your door and your needs.

  • Mobile to your Pasadena location
  • Available 24/7
  • Price quoted before we start
Call (323) 997-8867or tap to call — we answer 24/7
High-security lock cylinder with a dimple key
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A standard builder-grade deadbolt is designed to keep honest people honest. It can often be picked, bumped or drilled by someone with modest skill and a few minutes of privacy. High security locks are built differently: tighter tolerances, hardened inserts that resist drilling, pin designs that frustrate picking and bumping, and keys that cannot be copied at a hardware-store kiosk without authorization. Crenshaw Lock Company installs these locks across Pasadena, and we have been serving Greater Los Angeles and Ventura County since 1987 under owner and lead technician David Shar.

Pasadena presents a particular mix of doors. In Bungalow Heaven and Garfield Heights you find solid old wood doors, some with original mortise cases and brass hardware that deserves care. Around Old Pasadena and the Playhouse District there are aluminum-frame glass storefronts with narrow stiles that limit which cylinders will fit. Near Caltech and PCC, mid-century courtyard apartments often have a single tired deadbolt guarding a unit with valuable electronics and laptops. Each of these needs a different approach, and a good installation starts with the door, not the product.

We are mobile only. There is no shop to drive to; we bring the tools, cylinders and hardware to your door, assess what will fit, and install on site. Whether you want one upgraded front-door deadbolt or a restricted keyway across a small building, we will explain the options plainly and tell you when a higher-grade lock is worth it and when it is not.

How it works in Pasadena

  1. 1

    Talk through the door and the concern

    Call (323) 997-8867 and tell us what you are protecting and why. A recent break-in attempt, a tenant turnover, a lost key set or simply wanting better security all point toward different solutions. We ask about the door material, the existing hardware and who needs keys.

  2. 2

    Inspect the door, frame and strike

    A strong lock in a weak door is wasted. On site we check the door thickness, the condition of the frame, the strike plate and the screws, and whether the door is wood, metal or aluminum-framed glass. In historic homes we also look at what original hardware must be preserved.

  3. 3

    Choose the lock and keyway

    We recommend a high security cylinder or deadbolt suited to the door, with pick-, bump- and drill-resistant features. You decide between a standard keyway and a restricted one, where key duplication is controlled, which matters for landlords and businesses.

  4. 4

    Install and reinforce

    We fit the lock cleanly, and where needed add a reinforced strike plate with longer screws that reach the framing, or a door reinforcer. We take care around finished wood and original brass so the work does not look like an afterthought.

  5. 5

    Test, cut keys and hand over

    We test the bolt throw and alignment, cut your keys, and confirm every key works smoothly. We explain how to request additional keys, and what to do if one goes missing.

Need high security locks in Pasadena?

24/7 Mobile Locksmith across Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County. We answer 24/7.

Call (323) 997-8867

What affects the price

  • The type of lock chosen: a high security deadbolt, a single cylinder swap, or a full mortise-compatible solution all differ in hardware cost.
  • Whether you want a restricted keyway with controlled key duplication, which affects both the hardware and the key authorization process.
  • Door and frame condition, including whether a reinforced strike, door reinforcer or frame repair is needed for the lock to actually perform.
  • The number of doors or cylinders being done in one visit, such as a whole apartment court or a retail space with front and back doors.
  • Special fitting needs, like narrow aluminum storefront stiles or historic doors where original hardware must be preserved.
  • Timing of the visit, since after-hours and emergency calls are handled differently from scheduled daytime installs.

Why Pasadena chooses us

  • Fully mobile, 24/7 service: we come to your Pasadena door at any hour instead of asking you to visit a shop that does not exist.
  • In business since 1987, with owner David Shar leading the work, so you get experience rather than a rotating cast of strangers.
  • Respect for historic hardware: in places like Bungalow Heaven we work to keep original brass escutcheons and period doors intact where we can.
  • Honest recommendations: if your door frame is the weak point, we tell you, rather than selling a premium lock that will not help.
  • Experience across door types, from solid-wood Craftsman doors to aluminum-frame commercial glass, so the hardware fits the opening.
  • Clear explanations of restricted keys, so landlords and business owners understand exactly how key control works before they commit.

High Security Locks across Pasadena

Pasadena's housing tells you a lot about what a lock needs to do. In Bungalow Heaven, a protected district of 1900s to 1930s Craftsman bungalows, the original mortise locks, rim locks and skeleton-key sets are part of the home's character, and the neighborhood expects them to be preserved. We often look for ways to add security, such as a high security deadbolt placed carefully or a retrofit that does not damage the brass, instead of stripping the door. Similar older homes in Garfield Heights and the estates of Madison Heights call for the same patience.

In Old Pasadena and along Colorado Boulevard, the situation flips. Retailers and restaurants near the Playhouse District use aluminum-frame glass doors with slim stiles, and a failed or weak cylinder can leave a business exposed right before opening. High security cylinders sized for these frames improve resistance to picking and drilling, and a restricted keyway helps owners control who holds a key. Addresses in ZIP codes 91101 and 91103 are familiar territory for this kind of work.

Farther out, Hastings Ranch homes and apartment courts near Lake Avenue, Caltech and PCC have their own needs, from a landlord wanting a stronger deadbolt on a mid-century courtyard unit to a tenant who wants better protection after a scare. We reach customers across 91104, 91105, 91106 and 91107 by way of the I-210, SR-134 and Fair Oaks Avenue, day or night.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

24/7 Mobile Locksmith across Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County. We answer 24/7.

Call (323) 997-8867

Other Pasadena locksmith services

See all of our Pasadena services, or our citywide high security locks page.

High Security Locks in Pasadena — FAQs

What makes a lock high security?
High security locks use tighter manufacturing tolerances, hardened components that resist drilling, and pin or key designs that make picking and bumping far more difficult. Many also use restricted keys. Call (323) 997-8867 and we can talk through which features matter for your door.
Will a high security lock fit my old Craftsman door in Bungalow Heaven?
Often yes, but it depends on the door and the existing hardware. We inspect first and try to add security without damaging original brass or woodwork, since historic districts value preserved hardware.
Can you install high security locks on an aluminum storefront door?
Yes. Storefront doors along Colorado Boulevard and Lake Avenue often have narrow stiles, so we choose cylinders and hardware that fit that frame. Call (323) 997-8867 to discuss your door.
What is a restricted key and do I need one?
A restricted key is one that cannot be freely copied without authorization. Landlords, property managers and businesses use them to control who holds keys. For a single-family home it is optional but can add peace of mind.
Does a high security lock stop all break-ins?
No lock is unbeatable, and we will not claim otherwise. A high security lock makes picking, bumping and drilling much harder, but the door, frame and strike plate matter just as much, so we check those too.
Can you do this at night or on a weekend?
Yes, we are a 24/7 mobile locksmith. Call (323) 997-8867 anytime, and we will discuss what can be done on the spot.
How is the price determined?
It depends on the lock type, keyway, door and frame condition, the number of cylinders, and any special fitting needs. We explain these factors before we begin so there are no surprises.
Do you have a shop I can visit?
No, we are mobile only. We bring the hardware and tools to your home, apartment or business anywhere in Pasadena and install on site.
DS

Reviewed by David Shar — Owner & Lead Technician

Crenshaw Lock Company has served Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-12.

Call (323) 997-8867 · Open 24/7