Pop-A-Lock of Westchester, NY Starts Off Strong

LAFAYETTE, La. - May 15, 2013 - PRLog -- Recently, lifelong friends Richie Harold and Bill Collins launched the newest Pop-A-Lock franchise based in White Plains.  The co-owners wanted to provide a much needed service to the people who lived in their community, Pop-A-Lock was an easy choice.

Pop-A-Lock started in 1991 in Lafayette, Louisiana by two law enforcement officers that recognized a need to provide car door unlocking services to the people in their area.  “A lot of communities, police stations wouldn’t do it anymore because they’d go into a BMW, they’d scratch the car and then (the driver) would charge them $2,000 for trying to help,” Harold said.

The automotive service that originally began with only unlocking car doors has grown to making automotive dealer keys and offering roadside assistance that includes boosts, changing flat tires, and bringing gas to stranded motorists.  If customers are in need of having duplicate keys made for their vehicles, a technician will go to wherever they are.  The technician has the codes to program your smart key for virtually any type of vehicle on the road today.

Since that time, Pop-A-Lock has grown to provide locksmith services throughout the United States, Canada and Australia while adding commercial and residential locksmith services to the list.  “We have networked with realtors and property managers to change locks and install a variety of electronic security measures for residences and commercial premises.  Many homes have multiple doors, sometimes each with its own key, which can cause confusion for the residents living there.  It can be a safety concern if all locks aren’t changed when a new owner moves in because it may be unclear how many different people were provided keys by the previous homeowner,” Collins said.

Pop-A-Lock of Westchester operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  When customers contact them for service, a uniformed technician will arrive in a clearly marked vehicle and provide services at a cost that was quoted.  All of Pop-A-Lock’s technicians and locksmiths are drug tested and background checks are performed on all.  Two traits that are the hallmarks of the Pop-A-Lock organization are reliability and professionalism.  “It’s a franchise that will enforce the standards of the service.  We’re going to show up when we say we’re going to show up.” says Collins.

In addition to offering paid locksmith services, Pop-A-Lock of Westchester also provides two FREE community service programs – Emergency Door Unlocking (EDU) and Key Return Tags.

The Emergency Door Unlock (EDU) program is a quick response service that offers free unlocking when a child is locked inside.  To date, nearly 350,000 children have been saved.  The safety of children will always remain a top priority.  “It’s gotten good feedback,” Harold said.  “You have to do something for the community and that seems to be well responded to.”

The Key Return Tag program allows keys to be returned to owners if lost.  By simply registering the tag at popalock.com, if someone ever loses their keys the finder will see instructions on the tag to put them in any mail receptacle.  The post office will return the keys to the Pop-A-Lock corporate office, who will in turn contact the owners and return the keys free of charge.

In addition to the two services, Pop-A-Lock also offers an I-Phone and Droid locksmith app free to the public.  If ever in need of service, simply press the button and a technician will contact you immediately and will see your GPS location for more efficient service.  For more information or to request free key return tags, visit popalockwestchester.com or call 914-253-9725.  For roadside and automotive assistance, call 914-251-9725.