> basic locks can be reliably picked with $20 of tools and a few hours of YouTube tutorials and practicing.

Not without spending time at the lock, performing an activity that is obviously criminal to any witness, and having to repeat that every time you want access to those premises.

And, also: a neophyte lock picker will likely leave evidence, like scratches. If you have a key that works, you can open the lock without any traces of picking activity.

I mean, not everyone lives in a city. Someone could spend hours picking the lock on my front door at night and no one would even see them.

Plus, in the majority of break-ins, does knowing how they got in matter? If someone broke into my house and stole my valuables, does the fact that they picked the lock make all that much of a difference? I mean, I'd almost be relieved they did that as opposed to something more destructive.

(For the record, I have security cameras, please don't pick my locks)

And sitting next to the doorknob holding your microphone while someone walks in is totally legit. You aren't going to get a clean recording while hiding behind the fence.

I have an esp32 board with a MEMS microphone embedded in it that's about the size of a quarter, and can be powered for hours with a watch battery. So yeah, I can get a clean recording while hiding behind a fence... I just won't be holding the microphone.