America's #1 home security resource 100% free advice
Have your lock installed by a licensed, vetted locksmith in CA (door compatibility, mechanical security preserved), or choose the best models to install yourself.
A smart lock in Los Angeles is most useful for granting temporary access and checking remotely that the door is locked. It should complement a solid deadbolt, ideally on a door that's already properly reinforced.
Before choosing between professional installation and doing it yourself, here's what you need to know about the real risk in Los Angeles and the state of CA.
Los Angeles, the second-largest US city with roughly 3.8 million residents, spreads across vast neighborhoods that range from dense mid-city corridors to hillside single-family enclaves. Package theft, vehicle break-ins and home burglaries all factor into how Angelenos secure their property — and outdoor cameras are nearly universal.
In short: The LAPD logs thousands of residential burglaries each year, with summer spikes when homes sit empty and visible signs of vacancy pile up.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (UCR) & Bureau of Justice Statistics — 2023 data.
| Category | CA rate | US avg. | Diff. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burglaries | 3.30 | 3.00 | +10% |
| Aggravated assaults | 3.00 | 2.70 | +11% |
| Home invasions | 1.50 | 1.00 | +50% |
| Vehicle thefts | 4.60 | 3.00 | +53% |
| Larceny / theft | 14.00 | 13.00 | +8% |
Compare Los Angeles with another state using our interactive tool
Los Angeles blends dense apartment corridors (Koreatown, mid-Wilshire, downtown) with sprawling single-family neighborhoods in the Valley and the hills. Detached homes with yards, pools and side gates are prime targets when owners travel, while ground-floor apartments face sliding-door and window entries. The car-centric layout also means driveways and detached garages need their own coverage.
Housing type: Mixed (apartments + single-family homes)
Main residential neighborhoods: Sherman Oaks · Brentwood · Silver Lake · Mar Vista · Eagle Rock · Studio City
For a front door, a licensed locksmith's work still makes the difference: compatibility with your door and cylinder, perfect alignment (a poorly fitted lock strains the mechanism and wears out fast), and above all the mechanical security preserved — that's what the insurer looks at. The smart layer comes next, for convenience. A pro also guarantees a clean install, often expected by your policy.
ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 and 2 ratings classify the strength of locks, deadbolts and door hardware — the benchmark most insurers expect. Here are the locksmiths and security installers serving Los Angeles and the state of CA.
Southern California
One licensed pro gets back to you within 24 hours. No spam, no obligation.
Smart locks that mount on the existing cylinder install in 20 minutes, with no drilling — perfect for renters. Here are the 3 most popular models.
| Lock | Rating | Best for | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| August Wi-Fi Smart Lock No drilling | Renters, no-remodel install | Amazon≈ $130–250 | |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 Premium | Clean finish, fingerprint and app | Amazon≈ $180–280 | |
| Schlage Encode Plus Grade 1 | ANSI/BHMA Grade 1, smart-home integration | Amazon≈ $250–350 |
A smart lock complements a good mechanical lock: first and foremost, make sure your front door is solid.
Any alarm triggered by a break-in or attempted break-in should be reported to police as soon as possible — a police report number is almost always required for your homeowners or renters insurance theft claim.
LAPD — community police stations across the city (find yours at lapdonline.org)
1-877-275-5273 (1-877-ASK-LAPD) or 911 (emergency)
Jurisdiction: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)
Many departments offer a free vacation house check program: register an extended absence in Los Angeles and patrol officers will keep an eye on your home while you're away. Contact your local precinct to enroll.
What the insurer looks at is the mechanical lock: most expect a sturdy deadbolt, ideally ANSI/BHMA Grade 1, on the front door. The smart lock is an add-on (access management, remote control) — it doesn't replace the mechanical requirement. Check your homeowners or renters insurance policy before you invest.
Yes, and that's actually one of their biggest strengths. Models like the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock attach to the existing cylinder, on the inside, without drilling or altering the door. You keep the physical key, and everything comes off when you move out without leaving a trace — ideal for renters.
A good smart lock always keeps a mechanical backup: you can open it with your regular key. On the battery side, it lasts several months and the app warns you well before it dies. Wi-Fi is only used for remote control — locally, the lock works over Bluetooth even without internet.
Yes if it complements a solid deadbolt and the digital access is properly protected. It should never make up for a weak door.
Serious models warn you before failure and offer a backup key, external power contacts or a mechanical override.
Yes — several models mount on the interior over your existing deadbolt. Check compatibility before you buy.
To dig deeper based on your situation, these guides round out this smart locks page for Los Angeles.
