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Rural area mailboxes are vulnerable to vandalism
because they are usually isolated, located on public thoroughfares, and
frequently not visible to the box owners from their homes. City residential
mailboxes are vandalized to a lesser degree.
Mailboxes are considered federal property, and federal
law (Title 18, United States Code, Section 1705), makes it a crime to vandalize
them (and to injure, deface or destroy any mail deposited in them). Violators
can be fined up to $250,000 or imprisoned for up to three years for each
act of vandalism.
You can take the following actions to help prevent the
vandalizing or destruction of your mailbox and any mail that may be inside
it:
- Immediately report theft, tampering with, or destruction
of mail and mailboxes to your local postmaster. You will be asked to complete
PS Form 1510, Mail Loss and Rifling Report, or PS Form 2016, Mail Theft
and Vandalism Complaint. These forms help the Postal Inspection Service
determine whether your problem is isolated or one frequently experienced
in your neighborhood.
- Remove your mail from your mailbox as soon as possible
after its delivery. Allowing mail to pile up for several days only tempts
would-be vandals and thieves. If it is impossible for you to pick up your
mail right after delivery, and you have been experiencing problems with
mailbox vandalism or mail theft, consider renting a post office box, which
will provide a secure method of delivery. You may find your peace of mind
is worth the small rental fee.
- Obtain Label 33 from the Postal Inspection Service. This
sticker, which warns that willful damage to mail boxes and theft of mail
is a crime, can be affixed to your mailbox.
- If you discover someone tampering with your or your neighbor's
mailbox, obtain that person's description and that of his vehicle, including
the license plate number. Immediately report the information to your local
police and postmaster.
- Keep your mailbox in good repair by using proper installation
methods. This may help prevent theft of the mailbox itself.
If you have information on mailbox vandalism or mail theft
in your area, contact the Postal Inspection Service with your information.
Your cooperation helps apprehend violators. We attempt to publicize our
successful investigations of mailbox vandalism to deter other potential
vandals. You may provide your information and complaints to your local
postmaster or the nearest Postal Inspector.
Return to Burlington
Police Department home page...
Page created by Lt. Fran Hart
Most recent update:March 28, 1996
For more information, email can be sent to: bpd@tiac.net
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