I respect your open mind to the idea of reconsidering. A lot of people come here, and if they get any negative responses, call us all squares and losers and leave. Welcome, and I'm excited to see your pictures in the future!

Apparently bobby pins can be used to pick locks almost as effectively as actual lock picks. Bend one into a pick shape, use the other bend side first as a torsion wrench.

Completely fine to be caught with as long as you aren't actively picking a lock with them too.

But honestly, picking a lock as your POE is just a terrible idea. Although, if you're in a truly abandoned place (as in, no security, no one cares that you're there) picking locks in the building itself is always a fun challenge. But in my experience with places like that, any locked doors tend to be kicked in already. I prefer a more subtle approach though.

As much as it sucks I'd sit back and watch the location and wait for a vandal to smash in. then go in a few weeks later.... It's pretty much always inevitable anyways

Posted by victoria- As much as it sucks I'd sit back and watch the location and wait for a vandal to smash in. then go in a few weeks later.... It's pretty much always inevitable anyways

I feel like by that point the interior could be damaged even more, seems best to go in before the vandals and lead the way for other explorers.

Posted by victoria- As much as it sucks I'd sit back and watch the location and wait for a vandal to smash in. then go in a few weeks later.... It's pretty much always inevitable anyways

Spot on. Wisdom will get you what you want without paying more than you can afford.

Posted by UndeadExplorer I feel like by that point the interior could be damaged even more, seems best to go in before the vandals and lead the way for other explorers.

Wow.
That kind of selfish rationalization can land you in the state pen. In the US B&E is a felony.
Even after 10 years of being picked over by scrapers there was plenty left at Beth Steel to see and shoot.

educate yourself on the type of lock, and if anyone stops you while you're picking and asks you wft you're doing just start geeking out like an autistic lockpick fanatic and say you didn't mean any harm and weren't trying to hide yourself or be shady and this is a really rare lock and you just wanted to feel the pins inside and blah blah blah and it will likely end with you playing hide bubba's salami while you're stuck in a county holding cell waiting to see the judge.

Have you scouted the entire building? Normally there is at least another way in. Just give it a few sweeps, check for loose boards, try all doors (sometimes they are unlocked!), etc.

If there is another locked entrance in the back maybe it would be better for picking. Consider predawning the place. If you are there at 4 in the morning you can use the cover of darkness with a lower risk of being spotted.

Also, another option as mentioned before is dress up as a construction worker or something and go in the middle of the day. Look like you are supposed to be there.

Posted by blackhawk Spot on. Wisdom will get you what you want without paying more than you can afford. Wow. That kind of selfish rationalization can land you in the state pen. In the US B&E is a felony. Even after 10 years of being picked over by scrapers there was plenty left at Beth Steel to see and shoot.

I never said break in, I mean imo it's better to go before its vandalized. What I mean is go when there is at least one POE there for you, but don't wait till every window, door, and hallway is trashed and tagged up.

I watched two great locations near me become heavily vandalized within half a decade. So much so that the County gov tore down one. Not every place will be around for 10 years.

Posted by UndeadExplorer I never said break in, I mean imo it's better to go before its vandalized. What I mean is go when there is at least one POE there for you, but don't wait till every window, door, and hallway is trashed and tagged up. I watched two great locations near me become heavily vandalized within half a decade. So much so that the County gov tore down one. Not every place will be around for 10 years.

Well if it's locked up proper B&E is sometimes the only way other than by permission. Waiting and watching can save you a lot of grief.
There are plenty of places that are wide open where none of this is not an issue. Most times the worse that happens in places like this is a cop will ask you to leave, sometimes just tell you to be careful.

Getting a misdemeanor trespass arrest is expensive and can be a pain to expunge from your record. Even then the military and Feds can see it after its expunged; welcome to the digital age.
Felony convictions are much worse in both respects. A conviction can put federal/military and some civilian jobs out of reach. It will probably make getting a $ecurity clearance, a CDL Hazmat endorsement, and TWIC card impossible. Even arrests without convictions can complicate security clearance applications unless you fully disclose them.

Consider how much you are willing to lose before you do it. To do this hobby long term means keeping what you do survivable for you in a legal sense if caught; eventually the odds will catch up with you. Learn about the state/country penal codes you're exploring in; they can vary widely by state state and country.

The quote below from Rommel applies...

Posted by blackhawk Well if it's locked up proper B&E is sometimes the only way other than by permission. Waiting and watching can save you a lot of grief. There are plenty of places that are wide open where none of this is not an issue. Most times the worse that happens in places like this is a cop will ask you to leave, sometimes just tell you to be careful. Getting a misdemeanor trespass arrest is expensive and can be a pain to expunge from your record. Even then the military and Feds can see it after its expunged; welcome to the digital age. Felony convictions are much worse in both respects. A conviction can put federal/military and some civilian jobs out of reach. It will probably make getting a $ecurity clearance, a CDL Hazmat endorsement, and TWIC card impossible. Even arrests without convictions can complicate security clearance applications unless you fully disclose them. Consider how much you are willing to lose before you do it. To do this hobby long term means keeping what you do survivable for you in a legal sense if caught; eventually the odds will catch up with you. Learn about the state/country penal codes you're exploring in; they can vary widely by state state and country. The quote below from Rommel applies...

Trespassing is a misdemeanor in my state, max jail time 90 days, and up to a $500 fine. As for B&E, my state determines that as simply breaking and entering the structure. Doesn't matter if the doors no longer there, breaking and entering that frame makes it B&E. I have yet to meet or see anyone get arrested for Urbexing in my area. The cops tell people to leave, thats it. Even an asylum on federal government property 1-2 miles from NSA and Fort Meade, the cops still just tell people to leave, worst I saw was a trespassing ticket someone claimed they got. I'll risk it, I have faith in myself to not get caught. Been going for 3 or 4 years to numerous locations, never been caught.

Posted by ryan5685 Thank all of you for your insight. I didn't really mean from cops, because it's pretty obvious that would be the end. I think you're right about picking, it's not worth the risk. This is just one potential location, there are plenty of other drains that I could explore or some other abandoned buildings. It's not even that great, certainly not worth jail time. It would be nice if urban exploration was just like, legal, haha. I will probably not be exploring this building, and I will reconsider using lockpicks at all. Thank you all!

bump.
Some places aren't reasonably accessible. Welded shut bunkers and missile silos irritate me.
Your greatest risks while exploring are falls and structural failures, not cops. I hate hellholes and anchor bolt failures. Never assume anything in an abandoned structure and always watch/think about were you are stepping before you do it!

Posted by ForgottenRails I respect your open mind to the idea of reconsidering. A lot of people come here, and if they get any negative responses, call us all squares and losers and leave. Welcome, and I'm excited to see your pictures in the future!

Refreshing indeed.

Breaking into a place to see it before it is vandalized and likely getting caught is not worth my future. I'm not into exploring for the adrenaline rush of breaking in like an opr8r, I'm just curious and like snooping around. And I like the quiet.

Posted by ryan5685 @highwayman Yeah, I plan on practicing some more. It's kind of hard to be fast on a lock you don't know though.

I don't pick locks but I have been watching lots of youtube videos about picking locks; what kind of lock is it? If it's a Master #3 you should be able to rake it within a few seconds (or maybe blow on it harshly, or just use a hammer: https://www.youtub...KncLO54dKuoLCaQXsD), but if it's even an American or something nicer and the place is patrolled/monitored you're probably screwed. Don't forget shims or bypasses though, do some research and see if you can compromise it another way.

Most importantly, DO NOT GET CAUGHT WITH PICKS. Absolutely 0% chance of talking your way out of anything with those on your person, and they will throw the book at you. Proving possession with intent would be easy as pie (because it would be the truth), so basically an automatic conviction, and it can't help with sentencing either. Be careful.

(all this is to say, don't do it man)