Oregon lawmakers looking to change accessibility requirements for clustered mailboxes
“The Oregon Legislature is trying to make it easier for some people with disabilities to reach their mailboxes. The measure would require cities and counties to adopt accessibility standards for clustered mailboxes, ensuring people with wheelchairs and other disabilities can get their mail. The U.S. Postal Service does not have accessibility requirements for clustered mailboxes.” source: Statesman Journal
The provision passed the state House unanimously on April 26, 2011. Read more
Mailbox Access Restricted To Postage Paid U.S. Mail
Filed under: mailboxes, postal, postal news, press releases, usps
CLYDE, TX – The U.S. Postal Service would like to warn people that only authorized U.S. Postal Service delivery personnel are allowed to place items in a mailbox. By law, a mailbox is intended only for receipt of postage-paid U.S. Mail.
Recently, there have been reports of people placing non-mail items that did not bear U.S. postage in local mailboxes. The U.S. Postal Service recognizes customers may place non-mail items into mailboxes as a convenient way of “dropping something off,” but those items may cause a smaller mailbox to become full. When a mailbox is full, Postal Service regulations say the letter carrier cannot place mail in the box.
Additionally, the Postal Service has received complaints of flyers without paid postage being placed in mailboxes. Though many may be unaware, it is important to know that this type of activity is illegal by federal law. It may seem to be an easy way to advertise, but only U.S. Mail delivered by authorized personnel may be placed in mailboxes.
“We know many customers might not object to having a particular item placed in their mailbox from time to time, but the reasons for restricting use of mailboxes is really two-fold,” said Postmaster Keith Jackson. “First, if there is not enough room in a mailbox due to unauthorized items, the Postal Service can’t deliver the customer’s mail. Secondly, the Postal Service wants to ensure the integrity of our customer’s mailbox. That’s why only Postal Service personnel are authorized to place mail in or remove mail from mailboxes. In fact, U.S. Postal Inspectors advise customers to report people going mailbox to mailbox who are not postal employees. It could be someone completely unaware of the statute placing advertisements, but it could also be someone trying to steal mail.”
“We recognize that, from time to time, the statute and the Postal regulations may cause conflict with some customers,” the Postmaster continued. “When all factors are brought to their attention, however, we hope that the great majority of the public would agree that restricting mailboxes to U.S. Mail not only ensures customers receive their mail, but it also increases the security of the service.”
The Postmaster noted an exception to the general rule: newspapers can be placed in mailboxes only on Sunday; a non-delivery day for the Postal Service. He additionally noted that a newspaper receptacle can be mounted on rural or curbside mailbox post or support.
Photo: Sculptural Mailbox
According to information from the Flickrs photo: “Myers Residence, Savannah, Ga. // 2006″
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Motorcycle Mailbox
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Golfbag mailbox at Race Brook Country Club in Orange, CT.
APWU: Bank Pulls Misleading Ad From Airwaves
APWU News
The Wachovia Bank Corp. has stopped airing a television commercial that strongly implied that home delivery of mail is a primary cause of identity theft.
On June 18, G. Kennedy Thompson, the bank’s CEO, responded to a letter from APWU President William Burrus that objected to the commercial’s characterization. Thompson said that the ad, also criticized by Postmaster General John E. Potter, had been pulled from the airwaves.
The ad featured an unidentified motorist stopping at a curbside residential mailbox, taking mail out, and speeding away, “I assure you that this commercial was in no way intended to put the U.S. Postal Service in a negative light,” Thompson wrote. “Wachovia is a significant customer of your services, and we consider the Postal Service an important ally in efforts to combat identity theft.”
In his May 30 letter to Thompson, Burrus noted that mail delivery was the dominant image of the TV commercial. In fact, only a miniscule portion of identity theft occurs through the mail.
The Federal Trade Commission does not include postal services among its six principal methods – such as skimming credit card numbers from transactions – which thieves use to gather personal information from victims.
Potter, in remarks at the National Press Club in Washington on May 30, commented that “phishing” for information via e-mail was widely perceived as an easy way to illegally obtain information. “To me it’s absurd that the bank is pointing to the mail when we know that [the Web] is like the Wild Wild West,” Potter said.
In the letter to Burrus, Thompson said, “I have reviewed the commercial and I do not believe it portrays the Post Office as negligent; rather it points out that identity theft and fraud are risks consumers face, and promotes Wachovia’s ability to help. However, I do understand your concerns, and your thoughts are important to us. As of last week, this commercial is no longer airing.
“As we plan for future commercials relating to fraud protection,” Thompson added, “we will certainly be cognizant of your concerns and will avoid any reference to the Postal system.”
Photo: Sexist Mailbox?
Mailbox located in Nashville, TN
http://flickr.com/photos/the8rgrl/429766208/