Abstract: A locking assembly secures sliding windows disposed in a common track in the closed condition. One substantially inelastic strap is permanently fixed at at one end to one sliding window and has one component of a coupling device connected at its other end. Another substantially inelastic strap is permanently fixed at one end to the other sliding window and has another component of the coupling device connected at its other end. The components of the coupling device are selectively matable and separable for respectively connecting and disconnecting the straps. The straps have a combined length such that, when the windows are in the closed condition and the coupling components are mated, the straps are tautly extended between the windows.