How to catch a vandal??

[r porter]

easy fix.

the fellow with the black pipe has the right idea. i drive a T post in the ground a few inches on each side of the box and they have to come to a complete stop to hit the box. no more trouble in 20 years.



if you think it necessary add a piece of bar stock over the box using u bolts.

 

[jymbee]

easy fix.

the fellow with the black pipe has the right idea. i drive a T post in the ground a few inches on each side of the box and they have to come to a complete stop to hit the box. no more trouble in 20 years.

It appears that here, given the nature of some of the smashed boxes, that the vandals are actually getting out of their vehicle in some cases.

As much as I'd like to do them harm personally what I'd really like to do is to be able to identify those responsible. Still considering the possibility of some kind of motion activated night camera the main problem there being that the attacks might come weeks even months apart.

 

[wagne223]

To answer the original question, just call the police and report it every time. It is their job to find the criminals.

In the meantime, just bring your mailbox to the house every evening and put it back out every morning.

Just find a mailbox that has a 2 part post. Half stays in the ground other half on the box. The halves slide into one another.
Got mine at Lowes.

 

[jymbee]

To answer the original question, just call the police and report it every time. It is their job to find the criminals.

In the meantime, just bring your mailbox to the house every evening and put it back out every morning.

Just find a mailbox that has a 2 part post. Half stays in the ground other half on the box. The halves slide into one another.
Got mine at Lowes.

The police have been notified and are trying to help. The PO is distributing notices to their rural routes asking for any information that might help.

I assume your "bring your mail box to the house every evening" suggestion was written in jest. WAY too many logistical & mechanical issues for that strategy to be remotely feasible.

 

[forgeblast]

I remember hearing about some kids when I was in high school going out and doing this. They saw it in a movie and though it would be fun. One kid forgot the bat but had a hammer. They were in the kids car, swung it at a box and missed!!! It hit the windshield and cracked it. That was the last they did of that. Working a part time job kept me out of sooo much trouble.

 

[wagne223]

The police have been notified and are trying to help. The PO is distributing notices to their rural routes asking for any information that might help.

I assume your "bring your mail box to the house every evening" suggestion was written in jest. WAY too many logistical & mechanical issues for that strategy to be remotely feasible.

Sir, not in jest. I purchased a mailbox at Lowe's that has a light weight metal two peice post. It very easily comes apart.
I would pull the mailbox every evening and put it back every morning.
Only had to do it for a few months until the vandels stopped.

My neighbor did something similar using pvc for the post. Larger pipe stays in the ground and the smaller pipe on the box would just slide in.

 

[wagne223]

The police have been notified and are trying to help. The PO is distributing notices to their rural routes asking for any information that might help.

I assume your "bring your mail box to the house every evening" suggestion was written in jest. WAY too many logistical & mechanical issues for that strategy to be remotely feasible.

Here is the one I have. The post is two piece. Bottom half stays in ground, top half easily pulls off.

m.lowes.com/pd/Gibraltar-Industries-Mailbox-to-Go-Kit-6-9-in-W-x-48-8-in-H-Metal-Black-Post-Mount-Mailbox-With-Post/1000199965

 

[AchingBack]

Fort Knox mail box. Fort Knox Mailbox - Select which mailbox works best for you.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

That is great right up until a car hits it on accident and someone dies.

What's the big deal? My mailbox sits on a PT 6x6 planted firmly in concrete. If they manage to shear the post, their bumper will know it.

It's some moron kid hanging out of the passenger window of a pickup or car and bashing mailboxes. If he hits something solid, the worst that would happen is maybe a broken arm.

 

[jymbee]

Here is the one I have. The post is two piece. Bottom half stays in ground, top half easily pulls off.

m.lowes.com/pd/Gibraltar-Industries-Mailbox-to-Go-Kit-6-9-in-W-x-48-8-in-H-Metal-Black-Post-Mount-Mailbox-With-Post/1000199965

Ok, got it. Thanks for the follow-up. Unfortunately the challenges I mentioned-- logistical & mechanical-- don't lend themselves to this type of system-- although I can see it does have merit. I'm often on the road typically with a hard to predict schedule which might find me away for days at a time. Plus it's kind of an unusual position for the box given a deep ditch that was created during recent flooding which led me to install an anchor post on the far side of the ditch with a board & box spanning across it.

I will however pass along your suggestion to the neighbors as well as mention it to the local Post Office. Thanks again for the input!