Someone breaking into rural mailboxes

mapper · Mar 29, 2016

Sometimes your mail carrier will allow you to place your mail box down your driveway away from the public ROW, you will need to provide a circular turn around so they do not have to back up. We were getting a lot of vandalism and were allowed to do so. Our box and our neighbors is out near our shop about 300' from the county road. You do get to know your mail person, an advantage in my opinion. Only problem we had with this was one of our carriers,(a neighbor, since retired) loved our dog and gave her treats, lots of treats. She was an older golden retriever and she started to get fat. We kept cutting back on her food and it didn't help. Then I saw the mail lady make a delivery, the dog rushed out to greet her and got at least one at the mailbox plus about six more tossed out to catch going down the driveway. A friendly conversation got the goodies cut back to one per visit.

teejk · Mar 29, 2016

Years ago we had a store with one of those illuminated signs where we could post the specials...the letters (not cheap) had a tendency to disappear. There was a powdered chemical that was invisible until the thief used soap, at which point their hands turned bright magenta and didn't go away for a few weeks. Guess it probably was known to cause cancer in the State of California (although our store was no-where near California so I don't know why it was banned everywhere...I feel bad for anybody living in California because everything seems to cause cancer but near as I can tell only if you live there).

teejk · Mar 29, 2016

mapper said:
Sometimes your mail carrier will allow you to place your mail box down your driveway away from the public ROW, you will need to provide a circular turn around so they do not have to back up. We were getting a lot of vandalism and were allowed to do so. Our box and our neighbors is out near our shop about 300' from the county road. You do get to know your mail person, an advantage in my opinion. Only problem we had with this was one of our carriers,(a neighbor, since retired) loved our dog and gave her treats, lots of treats. She was an older golden retriever and she started to get fat. We kept cutting back on her food and it didn't help. Then I saw the mail lady make a delivery, the dog rushed out to greet her and got at least one at the mailbox plus about six more tossed out to catch going down the driveway. A friendly conversation got the goodies cut back to one per visit.

Pretty strict rules here on rural mail-box placement. Maybe it will change.

sixdogs · Mar 29, 2016

What is the step after the local postmaster and how do I reach them?

teejk · Mar 29, 2016

sixdogs said:
What is the step after the local postmaster and how do I reach them?

If your local postmaster can't help then there is something wrong...but anyway just Google "mail theft" (sadly you will see a pile of recent posts)...

2458n · Mar 29, 2016

I am required to use mail order drugs from CVS Caremark. After several missing 90 day supply packages I am allowed to pick up the drugs at a local store. Doctor also got tired of seeing me and having to call in new orders. Only takes a second to stop and grab some ones mail.

Looking4new · Mar 29, 2016

DT86 said:
United States Postal Inspection Service

United States Postal Inspection Service
If you see a mail thief at work, or if you believe your mail was stolen, call police immediately, then call Postal Inspectors at 877-876-2455 (press 3)

Wagtail · Mar 29, 2016

I don't know if this would apply to you but, couldn't you simply have the Post Office hold your mail until you come into collect it?

When I lived in the Big Smoke, I was used to the Postie delivering my mail. When I moved to my property here I found that, for some strange reason, I was 1km outside the postie-bike (motorcycle) delivery range but not far enough for the van delivery.

So Wednesday is now my weekly trip into town. Pick up my mail, do 'town' things and do my weekly grocery shopping (5% Senior Discount day!). It's not a problem and is now part of my routine.

Perhaps it's a small-town 'thing'. :confused3:

mapper · Mar 30, 2016

teejk said:
Pretty strict rules here on rural mail-box placement. Maybe it will change.

You have to get your carriers agreement to be allowed to do this, and if a new carrier takes over the route they can make you place it back on the main road. I have been fortunate so far, I don't think they like dealing with mangled mailboxes either. It may also help that in both cases on our road there are a couple of mailboxes.

japody · Mar 30, 2016

mapper said:
You have to get your carriers agreement to be allowed to do this, and if a new carrier takes over the route they can make you place it back on the main road. I have been fortunate so far, I don't think they like dealing with mangled mailboxes either. It may also help that in both cases on our road there are a couple of mailboxes.

It is NOT up to the carrier for the mailbox placement. It is up to the Postmaster or installation head, who is supposed to follow guidelines for the placement. The guidelines include many factors including line of travel, safety, and contractual obligations. Once it is placed, again it cannot be moved without the consent of the PM. If you would like your mailbox moved, make a written request to the PM, including specifics and reasons. You should expect to receive either or reply or an acknowledgement of your request within two weeks. On another note, theft from mailboxes is very prevalent throughout the nation. It is easy for the thieves and difficult for law enforcement to catch the perps. Here is just one article of some thieves that were actually caught.

Suspect in check thefts from mailboxes turns himself in | The Columbus Dispatch