The Southwest Voice

larger view

ATTENTION: The US Postal Inspection Service is investigating the recent mail theft which occured on Thursday, March 20, 2008 here in the Campus Park Area. I have not heard anything lately in the news about an increase of mail theft happening here in Bakersfield.  According to the USPS (Camino Media) the post office is currently updating all mail boxes with new ones which are more difficult to break into but as always, they are not always 100% safe.  Mail theft comes under the jurisdiction of U.S Postal Inspectors to investigate and prosecute.  I did some research and here are some tips residents should be aware of to minimize exposure to mail theives:

• Use the letter slots at your post office to mail letters, or give them to a letter carrier.
• Deposit mail in blue collection boxes before the last pick up time that appears on the schedule posted on each box.
• Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery, especially if you're expecting checks, credit cards, or other negotiable items. If you won't be home when the items are expected, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail. Don’t leave it in your mailbox overnight.
• Don’t send cash in the mail.
• Ask your bank for “secure” checks that can’t be altered.
• If you will be away from home for more than three days, ask the Post Office to hold your mail until you return. You can initiate a mail hold at the Post Office or online at www.usps.com.

We can ALL help by being watchful and/or starting a Neighborhood Watch Program.  For additional information on how to start a community watch program, please visit: www.bakersfieldcity.us/police.com If you see anything suspicious, take down a description, a license plate number or whatever information you can gather and report it to the Post Office immediately, additional attention to the problem will reduce preventable mail theft incidents.