LANCASTER – Mailboxes shouldn’t be hard to figure out – that is, until somebody starts breaking into them or busting them up. And if the mail receptacle happens to be a centralized box unit away from your property, postal customers should not expect the U.S. Postal Service to pick up the tab.
This is currently the situation with 12 postal customers in West Lancaster who are seeking more answers than what the local postmaster is willing to provide.
Lancaster Postmaster Raymond Bryant has asked the 12 residents to sign an agreement before the Postal Service will replace their centralized mail unit (located on Avenue L-8 near 73rd Street West), which was vandalized on April 14.
But residents are upset with the terms outlined in the May 5 letter, which states the Postal Service “may replace this box unit with the condition that future repairs and replacement of the centralized box unit will be the responsibility of the property owner.”
Lancaster resident Cathy Eichner, who has been driving 10-12 miles to pick up her mail at the post office for the last six weeks, said she’s just about given up on the Post Office and have decided to take care of all her bills online.
“If any other kind of vandalism happens to the box, then we’re responsible for replacing it again – all of us equally,” Eichner told The AV Times. “I mean, who wants to put out $3,000 for a mailbox?”
Eichner said the problem with being responsible for the cluster box, which has been vandalized before, is that some residents, like herself, live two or more blocks from the unit and are unable to watch the box or provide any security for it.
If the Post Office doesn’t receive “all signatures” for the box – and if the box is unable to be repaired by postal officials – then “customers may be required to rent a P.O. box for future mail delivery,” according to the May 5 letter.
“Hypothetically speaking, if only 11 of us signed it, and one did not, we would still have to all get P.O. boxes,” postal customer Tina Hormis said. “So where is the fairness in that?”
In addition, residents were told by the Post Office that if they do not obtain a P.O. box by June 1 to forward their mail, then their mail would be returned to the sender, according to Hormis.
“If it were my own box, then it would be up to me to maintain, but this is USPS issued,” Hormis said, explaining that the U.S. Postal Service owns and maintains the centralized box unit.
Not so, according to Richard Maher, spokesperson for the U.S. Postal Service in Los Angeles County.
“The Postal Service does not own customers’ mailboxes, whether they are on a post at the curb or centralized box or attached to their house next to their front door,” Maher told The AV Times. “They are all owned by the customers.”
He explained that the Lancaster residents’ centralized box had been vandalized to the point where the Postal Service could not securely deliver the mail, and “we offered to them, as a sign of goodwill to get their mail service back, replacing this box at our own expense, even though it’s not our own responsibility,” Maher said. “But we wanted them to sign an agreement stating that they understood that we do not own this mailbox and we’re not responsible for it – but that they are as customers.”
Maher said that the agreement the Lancaster Post Office is asking residents to sign is to prevent the expectation that the Postal Service must perform maintenance on the box and will continue replacing it in the future.
“The Postal Service is trying to mitigate this situation for the neighborhood by supplying this new centralized box at our expense so that they can get their mail – but we do not want to establish a precedent that we are responsible for customers’ mail boxes,” he said. “We just want them to understand that this is a gift, and we’re giving it to them – but it’s their box to maintain.”
He also explained that builders or developers typically install mailboxes for homes and properties, not the Post Office, emphasizing that “we do not sell mail boxes, and we don’t provide them.”
However, Hormis still questions the supposed policy of a homeowner’s obligation to provide and maintain their own mailbox.
“If this is the case, then we would have needed to be informed when we purchased the home that we are now responsible (for the cluster box), and not the original builder,” she said. “It confuses me also that on the back of the cluster box it states that it’s the property of the United States Postal Service. Well, if we purchased it and paid for it, and are maintaining it, then perhaps it should say it is the property of Twilight Ridge residents.”
The residents refuse to give up on more satisfying answers to their cluster box dilemma. Hormis said she will next consult with local realtors as part of her ongoing research, while Eichner said she has already contacted Congressman Kevin McCarthy’s office to help resolve the mailbox issue for residents.
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Karla says
This is extremely stupid. Maybe people that have more authority in certain areas of the antelope valley should start really enforcing things. Everyone wants to blame age, race, color, gender, religion…etc. We should come together and unite as a community instead of pointing fingers and trying to literally rip people apart. Things that come out on t.v, the media, the internet, rumors that are spread, rumors that are started will be taken seriously. Not just because some of the things that are spoken can be true. But some of the realities that are happening are true. And no matter what side you flip the coin. Your face can be put somewhere it shouldn’t of been in the first place. Be very mindful when you speak the wrong people will always twist your words.
Marielena says
I hope there is an update on this story.
Kristen says
Please sign the petition!
https://www.change.org/p/united-states-postal-service-take-financial-responsibility?recruiter=68070811&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_facebook_responsive&utm_term=des-lg-share_petition-no_msg
Tightwad says
If you combine the total cost of all the residents paying for their very own p.o. box for 10-years, I’m sure the total would be more than the total cost of paying for a new gang box.
The residents could save money by sharing the costs. While they are at it, they may want to install a camera with a powerful lens and spotlight to photograph the vandals. Make sure the spotlight is super bright because the vandals will being wearing very dark clothing and dark masks! They’re pretty clever that way.
Maybe install a net and a booby-trap. Or something that will paint the robbers with yellow paint that won’t come off their skin for weeks. Maybe the booby-trap could let loose some sleeping gas and you can catch the vandals napping next to the gang-box the next morning when you check your mail.
Tightwad says
RELOCATE THE GANG-MAILBOX IN FRONT OF A GROUP OF HOUSES SO THAT THEY CAN BE WATCHED BY RESIDENTS!
Cathy says
We have asked for it to be relocated, it falls on deaf ears….we would love to install a camera, but the city will not allow us to put it on the pole!
Kristen says
Well Tightwad, my name is Kristen and I am one of the residents this is affecting. As of now, we all have P.O. Boxes, however, they are continuing to hold our mail hostage. It seems that until we give in to their demands, we won’t get ANY mail. I know you think this is somewhat comical, just be assured it could happen to you as well! I am very glad that you are getting a good chuckle out of this, you must work for USPS!
dumbandblind says
While everyone talks vandals are laughing….
Elizabeth says
You know this whole issue would be void if they just went back to actually taking our mail to our houses like they used to. Seriously the central boxes are a convenience so the postal works don’t have to walk the neighborhood or drive from house to house. I certainly don’t want or like the central boxes. I don’t want to use them but am forced and definitely don’t want to pay for them.
G says
The reason there’s no house to house delivery is because of the postal service, not because the carriers don’t want to walk. The postal service figures if they use centralized mailboxes, it would take less time delivering a centralized box than it would door to door delivery, ect.. So please don’t think it’s at our own convenience, it’s the postal service’s
Ivy says
So true. .The cluster boxes were installed to save money w/postal svc.. go back to original delivery
jackie says
Agreed. How can the postal service claim customers own the cluster boxes when the say property of USPS. I would prefer my mail delivered to my residence. Maybe that will help the Postal worker get the mail to the correct address. That’s the problem in my area.
Doug Parham says
Our mailbox was vandalized about 5 times last year. I spoke to the Postmaster here in Lancaster and was told that over 400 cases of vandalism had occurred over the first few months of 2014 and that the USPS was replacing the “old” type of boxes with “new” ones that were more hardy. nothing has happened in the year since we spoke..except our box was vandalized a few more times. the attacks come in hours of darkness so I always try to empty my box the same day it is delivered. Don’t you love Lancaster?
Tina says
I am sure this happens in every city not just Lancaster !
Don Gockel says
Oh yeah, if you need a new lock where do you have to go? If you just moved in who removes the old lock requiring you to go to the central PO to get a new one? The next thing they will be saying is that they don’t own those jeeps they drive and if your local jeep breaks down the homeowners are responsible to repair it so they can get their mail. n!m
James says
You will have to call a local locksmith the have the lock replaced which comes with 2-3 new keys. The post offices used to sell them for around $80. We install them all of the time in the AV for less than that, but this is not a post to drum up business, it is to let everyone know they can acquire a new mailbox lock with keys from their local locksmith. I hope this helps.
James says
Also, normally no the landlord does not change the mailbox locks when renting a property again. Yes the previous tenants may have a key to your new homes mailbox. It is up to you to ask your new landlord if the mailbox lock has been changed and you can request it before signing your lease. We recommend this to our customers.
SMH says
I remember growing up from a smaller town just south of AV called Simi Valley, Mail would come to your door or a box at the end of your driveway. Chances are you knew your mail carrier by name and he knew you as well. They could also tell you if something on your street, near your home looked out of place or suspicious. As time has gone on towns have grown and the demand for mail grew, hand delivering or driving up to your box was not efficient. Sad that progress has driven us to be further apart. “BTW If have never seen them deliver mail box to box look at their vans the driver is on the right hand side just for this task”
Kathleen says
This consolidated mail box is for the convenience of the carrier. It is owned by the Post Office. It should not be the responsibility of the mail recipients unless it was their mailbox on their property.
And of course, once the criminals are apprehended and convicted, part of their sentence should be full restitution to the post office and all those suffering damages from the stolen mail.
Sam says
Even mails boxes are fair game in the toilet,,, I mean the AV! Nothing is safe in this dump!
Brana says
Two things:
#1 — if the cluster boxes are put in by the builder then why do I have to go to the post office to get a new key/lock?? That means they assumed responsibility for it.
#2 — maybe privatization of the postal service would, in fact, be the best solution!!!
eo2 says
The end of the US Post Office Department was in 1971. Now I have to travel 15 miles to pick up parcels the USPS is paid to deliver. All the USPS is good for is subsidized bulk mail. Thankfully technology such as online banking, email and text provides us with a viable option. Make sure all parcels are sent via a shipping carrier that delivers. Then we do not need USPS.
mel says
It looks like a house on the opposite side of the wall that is behind the mailboxes.
With the permission of the homeowner, (whose mailbox might also have been victimized), why couldn’t the USPS mount a camera in a place (the eave of their roof) where the vandals could be video taped as they get their jollies while stealing the mail?
This may not be the only location where these folks steal the mail. Filming might well solve other postal crimes as well.
michelle says
That isn’t fair, making the residents pay for something that’s out of their control. I say the thieves should be the ones to pay! Anytime anyone gets busted for stealing mail, they should get a fine that would cover any damaged mailboxes.
Sears says
I would investigate who requires the communal boxes in the first place. It is my understanding that communal boxes are required by USPS in newer construction. If that is the case, I would think it should be their responsibility to maintain the boxes. The community boxes are not situated in areas where residents can protect them.
If residents own and are responsible for the boxes, they should be able to have them placed in front of their own houses. The USPS should not be able to mandate communal boxes and then also place responsibility for the boxes on the customers.
J says
After our mailbox was vandalized, we had to go out and buy a new one and put it up ourselves…we also got a PO Box since our mailbox is in front of a school and is fair game to the the little jerks who destroyed it. These folks are crying about being given a free mailbox because they have to be responsible for it? Give me a break!Life is too short for such drama…
Josie says
Can you choose to have mail delivered to your residence instead of the cluster box? I would think if it’s the resident’s responsibility to get their own mailbox, then get a mailbox that’s on you property, no?
SB Davey says
No, you can’t if there is a cluster box…even if the box is unusable. It would cause delivery problems.
Nancy P says
“Delivery problems”? Why would that be? Mail delivery people should be able to get out of their vehicles and walk mail, either to the door, or deliver to a box at your curb.
Missly says
Delivery problems, like what… the mailman (women) going and actually DELIVERING THE MAIL TO HOMES (old-school style)?!!! :-/
DELIVERING THE MAIL IS THEIR JOB… no matter if it’s putting the mail into a neighborhood Cluster Postal Box or in individual mail boxes posted in a residents yard or at/on their home!!! :-{
K.B says
They replaced our front door mail boxes with a centralized unit after the mail delivery folks were repeatedly bitten by pitbulls. At least that is what the letter from the postmaster claimed. Basically we had no choice. We had to purchase locks and keys from the p/o, I paid for a lock and two keys, and one key doesn’t even work. I expect this from a failing federal entity though I must admit.
Norma says
This has happened to our W. Palmdale neighborhood mail box so many times during the past 18 yrs. At first the USPS did repair it but not any longer. It has been much easier, safer & cheaper to rent a PO box through a nearby UPS neighborhood
store.
jeanne says
If we own our mailboxes and are responsible for them, how come we can’t move them?
davis says
I ask the same question. Our clusster box is right on the main street, BUT the mail carrier, has to come in our complex to put hte mail in the boxes. We want to move it off the street and more central to tenants. The PO said no. WHY????????? It will be safer off the main street, and no difference for the carrier.