If you decide to select ATA as your Security Company, you will be hiring a company with over 42 years of serving South-Central Pennsylvania in the security industry.
How We Started:
In 1971, after being discharged from the USMC, Larry Tosten Sr. decided to pursue a vocation in security. After completing a correspondence course in locksmithing, he started a small part-time locksmith business (Tosten’s Lock Service), first working out of his home and then locating to a small one-room shop at the “East-Point” in Chambersburg. After a few years the business was moved next door to the former “Thompson’s Motorcycle Shop”. This was due to the need for more space and the incorporating of burglar and fire alarm installation into the services that were provided.
At this time, the name of the business was changed to Betlar Security Systems and became a “Full Time” operation. Approximately 1981 the company split into two companies: Betsy’s Lock Service, which handled the locksmith portion and ATA Alarm and Communication Systems Inc, a newly formed Limited Partnership, which engaged in the installation of Burglar/Fire Alarm Systems. The company was a partnership until 1984 at which time it incorporated. The company continued to grow and included such services as Access Control, Video Surveillance, Intercoms, etc. Around 1990, after being asked by numerous businesses in the Chambersburg area, the locksmith business was restarted. Larry Sr’s daughter, Nancy, came into the business to operate the Locksmith portion of the business. The company, comprised of both entities, continued until 2003. At this time, Nancy purchased the locksmith part of the business; naming it Nancy’s Lock and Key. Also, about this time, Larry Jr. (Nancy’s brother), just retiring from the Navy as a Master Chief Electronics Technician, joined ATA. He brought 20 years of electronic and computer experience to ATA, which allowed the company to expand into more technical areas; the most recent example being an Access Control system using over 150 two-door controllers and utilizing over 300 card readers. There are NICET qualified personnel on staff and can provide design for “Code Compliant Fire Alarm Systems” as well as layouts for any of our security systems. ATA is active in both the public and private market, providing service to hospitals, banks, residences, schools, (state – county – and local government), and many others.
Being a family owned business with a solid reputation in the local area, our main strengths are our dedicated, experienced, and quality-conscious staff. We pride ourselves in putting the concerns and security of our customers FIRST.