Unusual Professions

Fifty-three-year-old Benny Freiberger is having the time of her life as a locksmith. Working for Desert Locksmiths of Reno, Benny can crack safe combinations, and re-key a car lock in what seems a matter of minutes.

Talking about the job and the fact that she is a women working mostly in a man's profession is a hot topic she is eager to talk about. “I really love the work,” she said. “I love safes. When that handle swings…” Part of the excitement in the work is the challenge. Each safe is different. Benny can open a safe by listening to the tumblers, or when all fails by drilling. “People pass away or acquire a safe with no way to open it,” she said. The average time it takes her to crack a safe is a half hour or less. A “really good safe will take 3 and a half hours.”

Working in the business, about 12- years, Benny admits she is called two or three times a week by area safe companies for customers who have forgot or misplaced their combinations. She also keys home locks for real estate companies.

Benny got her start in the business working for Desert Locksmiths owner Liv Lopshire, who herself developed a talent at re-keying repossessed cars. Lopshire became so skilled she decided to open her own business. “She could make an impression of anything from scratch. She taught me all she knew.”

Today, Benny works to keep up with the industry which has grown with a souring of the economy.

With safes, “Once you know how to open them, it's a matter of knowing what's handy,” referring to her tools. Using special drill bits, Benny has opened safes in homes and businesses all throughout northern Nevada. But admits, when it comes to cars, some are harder to get into because they relock. “ I have to get in and get out quickly before the alarm goes off. It's a real skill.”