Local inventor creates a device to protect homes

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Story Published: May 10, 2007 at 5:08 PM PDT

By Sophie Soong

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Eugene - As home break-in methods, like lock bumping become easier, home owners like Barbara Henson are getting more worried.
"I just want to be safe," she said.

Two weeks ago, she bought a SIMlock and now, "I feel better because you never know when they can get into your house," Henson explained.

It's a new device created by Albert Nokleberg of Eugene and he says, when he made it, he had "safety in mind" which became the name for the lock.

"Nothing will open it--nothing," Nokleberg said.

Keeping homes safe is just half the story. That's because this local inventor has a bigger vision for his device. The SIMlock is assembled and packaged at Pearl Buck, a center that employs the mentally disabled. It's all part of Nokleberg's goal to help the community and keep his product all local.

"They build so much self esteem and empowerment through this process," Pearl Buck Facilitator Helen Nahoopii said.

He also donates a portion of sales to Womenspace, a non-profit organization aimed at ending domestic violence in Lane County. "It's just a win-win situation for everybody in the community," Nokleberg said.

Eugene Police are interested in the SIMlock. Nokleberg is scheduled to meet with detectives tomorrow to show them how it works and he hopes that will help get more homes protected.

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