A trash container lid locking apparatus, comprising a pivot device comprising a mounting plate including a front mounting section and a side mounting section configured to be secured to both a front and a side of a trash container, a pivot arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the mounting plate and a second end, the second end having an attachment portion to couple to an elongated bar which is longer than the front of the trash container, and wherein the side mounting section of the mounting plate forms a spacer section to space the pivot arm a predetermined, consistent, fixed distance from the front of the trash container.