It’s a sad fact that human nature has us correcting problems or weaknesses after they’ve had a bright light shone on them.

Unfortunately, that bright light is too often a law enforcement flashlight following a break in or theft at a business site.

While not all thefts can be avoided by an appropriate use of lock and key, Mike Forbragd, owner and founder of Bremerton-based Anytime Lock and Safe, claims that the majority of problems that business owners experience in the way of simple theft could be avoided by some fairly simple measures, including “keying up” on the difference between hardware store-supplied and professionally procured security devices.

“Most people, including business owners, don’t really understand the difference between a key cutter who works out of the back of their truck or at the hardware store and a locksmith,” said Forbragd. “While there may be a bit of a price difference between the services provided, what you gain in the way of security is significant.”

With the thought of educating those in Kitsap County who want to learn more about the differences available in residential and commercial security, Forbragd created a detailed website a few years ago that walks online viewers through the various forms of locks, systems and safes available and why each fills a particular need.

And Forbragd is uniquely suited to offer that advice. Besides having spent more than thirty years as a locksmith, the 54-year old business owner is one of only seven hundred professionals in the country with a Certified Master Locksmith rating. That designation, says Forbragd, is the highest proficiency rating that the profession’s association, Associated Locksmiths of America, offers.

“Of course, one major difference between using a locksmith and a key cutter is the fact that my staff and I are bonded and insured but it’s about more than that,” said Forbragd.

“It’s about keeping current on the latest equipment and law enforcement issues, it’s about continuing education and also about keeping relationships with the top manufacturers in the country. That translates into better service and products – and ultimately better security – for our customers.”

Business owners, Forbragd adds, are sometimes the customers hardest to convince that it’s time to upgrade security and fire protection. “No one thinks it’s going to happen to them,” he said “No one expects that a former employee will let themselves back on the premises or that someone will pick a door lock or simply walk away with a small safe, carry it into the forest or an empty lot and bash it open — at least not until after it happens,” he adds.

Forbragd, who founded the company in 1973 and has three employees, said that his company is experiencing significant growth in the commercial building and office segment and that in just the last few years, increased concerns about theft in the workplace has his company doing almost seventy percent of their installations and related security work with local businesses.

“A lot of our work is here in Kitsap, of course,” said Forbragd, “but we also have contracts with major retail franchises where we do all of their lock and security work, even if that means we’re traveling three counties away.”

Forbragd encourages local businesses to take a more pragmatic view of what the locks on their business says about how they value their company.

“Most companies, when an employee leaves or is terminated, either does nothing or maybe they re-key the door. That’s really not effective,” said Forbragd, “especially if what you’ve got on there is a hardware store-quality lock to begin with. I’d encourage every business owner to consider an investment in upgrading their locks as an investment in their company.”

Especially since, oftentimes, that investment is essentially paid for in a reduction in business fire and theft insurance premiums.

“Most insurance carriers offer some kind of policy premium reduction if you can show that you invested in securing your business property, and that means locks, deadbolts, safes, sprinkler systems, etc.”

Anytime Lock and Safe offers clients everything from drill and pick resistant locks and restricted key systems (where only the licensed and designated locksmith has access to the key blanks necessary to open a particular lock) to safes, keyless entry systems and auto lockout services.

Although the company operates out of its Bremerton offices during standard Monday through Friday hours, they also offer emergency, after-hours services using either of their two fully-equipped service trucks.

“You know, when I originally set up our website I didn’t do it to increase sales,” claims Forbragd. “I did it to address basic questions that people had, and should have, about security. Questions about what locks to choose and what the difference were in lock systems, what kind of safe was right for their needs, that kind of thing. I even set up an e-mail link so that people could e-mail me with basic locksmith questions! The goal all along has been to educate people about putting safety first and it’s still our biggest priority.”

Readers with questions about home or office security can send a question to a certified locksmith at www.anytimelock.com.