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Crenshaw Lock

High Security Locks in South Pasadena · 24/7 mobile

High Security Locks in South Pasadena, CA

Crenshaw Lock Company installs pick-, bump- and drill-resistant high security locks and restricted keys throughout South Pasadena, California. We are fully mobile and available 24/7, so we come to your home or shop. Call (323) 997-8867 to talk through your doors and options.

  • Mobile to your South Pasadena location
  • Available 24/7
  • Price quoted before we start
Call (323) 997-8867or tap to call — we answer 24/7

South Pasadena is a small, leafy city where many doors are older than the locks on them. Craftsman bungalows, Victorians and 1920s Spanish revival homes often still carry their original rim and mortise hardware, and a lot of owners want real protection without ruining period character. High security locks are one of the best ways to get there, because the upgrade lives mostly inside the cylinder rather than on the face of the door.

A high security lock is built to resist the common ways a lock gets defeated: picking, bumping and drilling. Better cylinders use tighter tolerances, hardened inserts and more complex key designs, and many pair with restricted keys that cannot be copied at a hardware store without authorization. That matters for landlords, shop owners, and anyone who has handed keys to contractors, cleaners, guests or production crews over the years.

Crenshaw Lock Company has served Greater Los Angeles and Ventura County since 1987, led by owner David Shar. We are mobile only, with no storefront, so everything happens at your door. We look at what you already have, explain what is worth upgrading and what is fine as is, and install the hardware so it works smoothly with your door and frame.

How it works in South Pasadena

  1. 1

    Talk through your goals

    Call (323) 997-8867 and tell us about the door, what you are protecting and who currently has keys. A home near Garfield Park, a shop on Mission Street and a rental all call for different answers.

  2. 2

    Inspect the door and existing hardware

    We come to you and check the lock type, the door's thickness and condition, the strike, and the frame. Original mortise and rim hardware is handled carefully so vintage pieces are kept wherever possible.

  3. 3

    Recommend the right cylinder and key system

    We explain the options in plain language, including pick-, bump- and drill-resistant cylinders and restricted key control, then match them to your door, your budget and how many people need access.

  4. 4

    Install and fit precisely

    We install the new cylinders or locks, adjust the latch and strike so the door closes cleanly, and confirm that nothing binds. Weak strikes and short screws are addressed, since a strong lock on a weak frame protects little.

  5. 5

    Cut and test keys

    We cut the keys, test every one, and confirm all locks on a matched set work with the same key if you want that convenience. We also explain how to request additional keys later.

  6. 6

    Walk-through and care tips

    Before we leave, we show you how everything operates and suggest simple upkeep so the new hardware keeps working for years.

Need high security locks in South Pasadena?

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

What affects the price

  • The type and grade of lock or cylinder you choose, since levels of pick, bump and drill resistance vary
  • How many doors or cylinders are being upgraded and whether they should all share one key
  • Whether the existing hardware is a standard deadbolt, a vintage mortise lock or a rim lock that needs special fitting
  • Restricted or patent-protected key control and the number of keys you need cut
  • Door and frame condition, including any strike or reinforcement work needed for the lock to perform properly
  • Time of day and urgency, as after-hours calls differ from scheduled installations

Why South Pasadena chooses us

  • Fully mobile 24/7 service, so installations happen at your door with no shop visit
  • Serving the region since 1987 under owner and lead technician David Shar
  • Care with older homes: we work to preserve original Craftsman and period-revival hardware where it makes sense
  • Honest recommendations, including telling you when a standard quality lock is enough
  • Attention to the whole door, including strike, frame and fit, rather than just swapping a cylinder
  • Discreet service that suits homeowners with film-location properties and shops that want little disruption

High Security Locks across South Pasadena

South Pasadena packs a lot of different buildings into about 3.4 square miles. In the Mission Street District, small shops, antique dealers and restaurants near Mission West antique row often rely on older commercial locks and one or two keys that have been copied many times. Upgrading to a restricted-key high security cylinder gives a shop owner real control over who can open the door, and we can schedule it around business hours.

Up in Monterey Hills and Altos de Monterey, hillside homes and period houses in ZIP codes 91030 and 91031 often have original hardware and several sets of keys floating around from past owners and contractors. Rekeying to a high security cylinder after a purchase is a smart reset. Because South Pasadena is a frequently used film and TV location, some owners also want a temporary lockbox during a production and a discreet rekey afterward, so access is fully reset once the crew leaves.

We reach customers across town by way of Fair Oaks Ave, Fremont Ave, Huntington Dr, Mission St and the I-110 Arroyo Seco Parkway. Whether you live near the Metro A Line Mission station, shop the South Pasadena Farmers Market, or catch a show at the Rialto Theatre, call (323) 997-8867 any time.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

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Other South Pasadena locksmith services

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

High Security Locks in South Pasadena — FAQs

What makes a lock high security?
High security locks are designed to resist picking, bumping and drilling, using tighter tolerances, hardened components and more complex keys. Many also offer restricted keys that are harder to duplicate.
Can you upgrade the locks on my Craftsman or period home without ruining the look?
Often yes. Much of the upgrade is inside the cylinder, so original faceplates and hardware can stay. For vintage mortise and rim locks we explain what can be kept. Call (323) 997-8867 to discuss your door.
What are restricted keys and why use them?
Restricted keys can only be duplicated with authorization, so a copy cannot simply be made at a hardware store. They are helpful for shops, rentals and anyone who shares access.
Do you serve businesses on Mission Street and Fair Oaks Ave?
Yes. We upgrade and rekey commercial locks for small shops and restaurants, and we also handle lockouts. Call (323) 997-8867 any time, since we are available 24/7.
Will a high security lock help if the door frame is weak?
Only partly. A strong lock needs a solid strike, long screws and a sound frame. We check these during installation and recommend reinforcement if needed.
Can you set up a lockbox and rekey after a film shoot?
Yes. We can install a temporary contractor lockbox for a production and rekey the locks afterward so you regain full control of access.
Do I need to come to a shop?
No. Crenshaw Lock Company is fully mobile with no storefront, so we do the work at your property.
How do I find out what it will cost?
Price depends on the lock grade, number of cylinders, key control and door condition. Call (323) 997-8867 and we will talk through your setup.
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