As someone who has had multiple packages stolen, along with one known (because it was important and expected) missing letter, and as the very same someone who has found a bundled pile of her mail- including a ripped open packet that once held a book she had ordered- on the sidewalk a block away, I always pay close attention to envelopes that I find while cleaning 43rd Ave. When I find an undelivered piece of mail I drop it in the nearest mailbox; if it is addressed to a nearby building, I just deliver it myself.
Today I found a PILE of letters, tucked UNDER the still-present smashed television (see previous post). These were addressed to 3 different addresses. I suspect that the mail carrier du jour* stuck them there. (*We have an awesome regular mail carrier, but unfortunately he has a lot vacation time, so we get a lot of subs.)
I really wanted to report these undelivered letters to, I dunno, the USPS Inspector. The title implies a person (or agency) that inspects-investigates-inquires about issues pertaining to mail. Well, first I tried the USPS Inspector's web site, but they only list a link to report stolen packages. I tried calling the phone number listed on the Inspector's site. After a good 7 minutes of "listening to the following options," I finally reached a human being. I explained to her that I had found a pile of undelivered mail, semi-hidden under a dumped TV on a notoriously sh*tty and lawless block. Her response?- "Hmm, maybe bring this to the attention of your mail carrier?"
I also asked a 311 operator what I should do about this sitch. She transferred me to the same USPS Inspector's toll-free number.
?!?!?!?!
Am I insane? Is it no longer a crime to (1)steal mail, or (2) to dump mail that you are entrusted by the public to deliver? What about that "Tampering with mail is a federal offense" line? Is that just a load of hooey? If anyone reading this has suggestions, or any leads on how to contact a postal authority who might actually give a tiny shred of a f*ck, please let me know!! In the meantime, I am going to document what I found with this post and the photo below, and drop these letters in a mailbox.
