By Aneesa Grant, The Portland Medium
The United States Postal Service (USPS) and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (Inspection Service) provided an update today on their collaborative Project Safe Delivery campaign, aimed at tackling postal crimes and enhancing the safety of postal employees. Launched in May 2023, Project Safe Delivery represents a concerted effort by the USPS to combat the growing threats and attacks on postal workers and mail theft incidents across the nation.
Various departments within USPS, including the Inspection Service, the Office of the Chief Information Officer, and the Office of the Chief Retail and Delivery Officer, are working in tandem to support this ongoing campaign. A key aspect of this initiative is the significant increase in monetary rewards offered by the Inspection Service for information that leads to the arrest or conviction of individuals involved in postal crimes.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy Stresses Employee Safety
Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer Louis DeJoy emphasized the paramount importance of ensuring the safety of postal employees.
“As our nation continues to address a sustained crime wave, our targeted focus to crack down on postal crime is progressing. The safety of our letter carriers — and all postal employees — is our top priority,” said DeJoy. “We will continue to work steadfastly with our law enforcement partners to increase the safety of our employees and protect the sanctity of the nation’s mail.”
Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale Urges Public Cooperation
Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale underscored the significance of public assistance in their mission to combat postal crimes.
“We ask that the public assist us with our mission. Our rewards for information have increased substantially, highlighting the importance of the safety and security of our employees and the mail. If you see something, say something, and help us bring to justice those that cause harm to postal employees, steal mail, or commit other postal crimes,” said Barksdale.
Progress Achieved under Project Safe Delivery
Since the initiation of Project Safe Delivery in May 2023, the USPS and Inspection Service have made notable strides in addressing postal crimes nationwide. Some key achievements include:
1. Law Enforcement Surges: Postal inspectors conducted targeted law enforcement surges in Chicago, San Francisco, and various Ohio cities, resulting in the arrest of over 600 individuals for postal crimes. These operations involved extensive partnerships with federal agencies, local law enforcement, and the Department of Justice.
2. High-Security Blue Collection Boxes: Over 10,000 high-security blue collection boxes have been deployed in high-risk areas to deter criminal access to mail contents.
3. Electronic Locks: More than 6,500 antiquated arrow locks have been replaced with electronic locks in select cities, with plans to deploy an additional 42,500 nationwide to curb letter carrier robberies.
4. Reduced Fraudulent Change of Address Submissions: Enhanced authentication procedures have led to a 99.3% reduction in fraudulent change of address submissions, helping safeguard sensitive financial mail.
5. Counterfeit Package Postage Reduction: The use of AI, machine learning, and data analysis has reduced counterfeit package postage by more than 50%, with instances like the arrest of a Chinese-national in Los Angeles for a $60 million counterfeit postage scheme.
Increased Monetary Rewards for Information
The Inspection Service, in collaboration with partners, has increased monetary rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals involved in mail crimes. The updated reward amounts, effective August 21, 2023, cover a range of offenses against USPS employees and theft of mail or USPS property:
· Murder or Manslaughter of a Postal Service Employee or Contractor: $250,000 – The unlawful killing of any officer, employee, or contractor of the Postal Service while engaged in or on account of the performance of his or her official duties.
· Assault on Postal Employees: $150,000 – Forcibly assaulting any officer or employee of the Postal Service while engaged in or on account of the performance of his or her official duties.
· Robbery: $150,000 – Robbery or attempted robbery of any custodian of any mail, money, or other property of the United States under the control and jurisdiction of the Postal Service.
· Burglary Of Post Office: $100,000 – Breaking into, or attempting to break into, a Post Office, station, branch, a building used wholly or partly as a Post Office, or any building or area in a building where the business of the Postal Service is conducted, with intent to commit a larceny or other depredation therein.
· Theft Of Mail Or Postal Service Property: $100,000 – Theft or attempted theft of any mail, or the contents thereof, or the theft of money or any other property of USPS under the custody and control of the Postal Service from any custodian, postal vehicle, railroad depot, airport, or other transfer point, Post Office, or station, receptacle, or depository established, approved, or designated by the Postmaster General for the receipt of mail; possession of any item above which was stolen from Postal Service custody; or destroying, obstructing, or retarding the passage of mail, or any carrier or conveyance carrying the mail.
· Postage Or Meter Tampering: $100,000 – The unlawful use, reuse, or forgery of postage stamps, postage meter stamps, permit imprints, or other postage; or the use, sale, or possession with intent to use or sell any used, forged, or counterfeited postage stamp or other postage.
Public Engagement in Mail Theft Prevention
To prevent mail theft and protect letter carriers, customers are encouraged to take several steps, including:
· Removing incoming and outgoing mail from mailboxes daily.
· Depositing outgoing mail securely at Post Offices or workplaces.
· Signing up for Informed Delivery to receive mail and package previews.
· Participating in neighborhood watches and local social media groups to spread awareness and share information.
· Keeping an eye out for your letter carrier. If you see something that looks suspicious, or you see someone following your carrier, call 911. · Reporting stolen mail online to the Postal Inspection Service at www.uspis.gov/report or by calling 877-876-2455.
· Reporting allegations of Postal Service employee misconduct to the USPS Office of Inspector General at 1-888-877-7644 or www.uspsoig.gov.
