Growing concerns are being expressed as a series of robberies involving Bay Area postal workers unfolds. In one such incident in San Francisco, a mail carrier was assaulted and their postal keys stolen.
These thefts pose a threat not only to the workers but also to the individuals receiving the mail. According to the postal service inspector for the Bay Area, these crimes aimed at mail carriers have become outrageous and alarming.
The primary target of the robbers tends to be the postal keys, which provide access to mailboxes, enabling criminals to sift through or steal items.
“Threatening violence against anyone who’s trying to do their job, certainly someone like a letter carrier who is such a vital member of the community, this is outrageous and unacceptable,” said U.S. postal inspector Matthew Norfleet.
Norfleet pointed out that the Bay Area is a priority area with several open cases. He advises residents to clear their mailboxes daily to prevent mailbox break-ins, which usually occur late or overnight.
While Norfleet encourages residents to keep an eye out for their mail carrier, he also warns against confronting a criminal, emphasizing that nothing compares to the value of human life.
Rewards up to $50,000 are offered by the postal inspector service for information about mail crimes. They can be contacted 24/7 at (877) 876-2455.