Destruction of mail boxes and stealing mail are felony offenses. Unfortunately, it is happening on a regular basis in unincorporated Pierce County. Many Parkland residents have been having their multiple unit boxes, supplied by the USPS, mangled and destroyed by thieves. Afterward, residents are required to pick up their mail at the Post Office. The lines at the Post Office have become hours long for people simply trying to get their regular mail.

The Post Office will not let these residents put in a mailbox of their own. No, they are required to wait for the USPS contract person to get out to the site and fix the box. According to one resident, Bruce Rice, the Post Office told him there is one person they contract with. That person has a regular day job and repairs the mail boxes on evenings and weekends. The wait for a repair can be over a year.

Imagine, being forced to go to the Post Office daily and wait and hour to pick up your mail, knowing this may continue for most of a year? You may feel like Mr. Rice, sick and tired of it. He is elderly and has many medical issues. Standing in a long line is not a healthy option for him, yet, he has found no alternative.

Post Office budgets are a notorious problem. The budget may be why there is only a part time contractor to repair these mail box units. But knowing the wait in line is time consuming and the reair may be months away would typically inspire citizens to offer to pay to move the process along. Even that is not an option. So what can you do?

First, you can complain to the Postmaster about the way you are receiving mail.

Consumer & Industry Contact (formerly Consumer Affairs) Office Locator | PostalPro (usps.com)

CONSUMER AFFAIRS
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
34301 9TH AVE S STE 304
FEDERAL WAY WA 98003-7091
Phone: 1-800-ASK-USPS
Fax: 253-214-1818

For issues and complaints not related to mail delivery, a consumer can contact the Office of the Inspector General. Home | Office of Inspector General OIG (uspsoig.gov)  Usually, this option is for fraud, waste, and abuse.

Another way to address the issues is to contact your Congressional Office. Marilyn Strickland is the Congressperson for the Parkland area. Her office Representative Marilyn Strickland | (house.gov) may be able to direct you to other resources, or assist with a significant problem you are having with any Federal government department. As always, if enough people raise the issue, the squeaky wheel will get the grease.

Good luck with getting your mail, Parkland. So sorry the sadistic thieves about in our area and are creating nightmare scenarios for the rest of us. If you see something suspicious, please report it immediately!