‘Locksport’ draws nimble US pickers; police union warns the skill could get in wrong hands

Competitive lockpicking growing in US popularity

SOMERVILLE, Mass. — The competitive sport of lockpicking is gaining popularity in the United States.

Enthusiasts in Massachusetts include 26-year-old Schuyler (SKY’-ler) Towne, who easily picks a brass lock in less than 20 seconds. He says sport lockpickers are ethical and believe they should never pick locks they don’t own. They also help find flaws in locks for lockmakers.

But James Pasco of the National Fraternal Order of Police is among law enforcement officers who worry about the practice falling into the wrong hands.

He fears the sport pickers run the risk of “educating criminals who might be inclined to pick locks for illegal purposes.”