Police cut out unlocking service
By Elizabeth Billips Associate Editor

If you lock your keys in your car, don't expect the Waynesboro Police to come to your rescue.

Police Chief Karl E. Allen says his agency is cutting out the free service they've offered for the past 11 years.

"Liability is the main reason," he said, referring to unintentional vehicle damage. "We can't afford to fix people's doors and windows."

Chief Allen said emergencies are an exception to the new policy. "If there's a small child locked in the car or a medical emergency, we'll unlock the car," he said.

In other cases, the police dispatcher will assist stranded motorists by calling a locksmith or wrecking company that provides unlocking services.

The average cost for that service runs around $35.

While liability was the major concern, the free service had been taxing to the department at times.

According to police records, four motorists called police to help unlock their vehicles last Monday morning alone.

The department averaged three to six calls of that sort a day and logged in more than 1,000 calls in a fiscal year.