Alert - Mailbox Safety
Some residents have reported alleged mailbox tampering and mail theft. This is a federal offense. There are several things you can do to help mitigate risks:
Watch For And Report All Suspicious Activity - Please notify the LEPD in the event of an emergency. You can should contact the Postal Inspector after the crime has occurred if there is no imminent danger.
Sign-Up For USPS Informed Delivery - They will send you an email daily that has a scanned image of all postage paid mail. All bulk mail will show as being present in your box; however, it is not scanned. All of your packages will come with a tracking number that links directly back to their page. In the event that a piece of mail goes missing, or is delayed, you can easily report it on the site directly to USPS.
Get A Locking Mailbox - They can’t take what they can’t get to. Your identity is one of the most important assets you have. I like this one and they have it at our local Home Depot, but you can find them all over. Please check with the HOA prior to replacing yours in order to ensure that it meets all of the standards for the community’s architectural covenants.
Install A Mailbox Alarm - A mailbox alarm lets you know when your mailbox opens. These alarms are convenient because you know when the mail arrives or if someone goes into your box when they shouldn’t. Ring makes one and the visibility factor is a deterrent as well, but there are multiple companies that sell them. Make sure to check and see if you need a bridge prior to purchase. Unfortunately, we can’t use them in the large mailbox banks because the Wifi doesn’t extend that far; however, those all have locks and do not have our house numbers on them for safety and security. The next time you may “complain” about having to get the mail at the end of the block, you should appreciate the added layer of protection that box gives your home.
Put In A Camera - You know I love cameras. They can only be placed on your property though.
Move It - It is a bit of work, but you can request permission from the HOA and the Postmaster to move your mailbox from the street to your porch. Here is the process and some important things to consider:
Contact the HOA regarding current approval regarding our architectural covenants.
Contact our local Postmaster. Be prepared to wait for a response. The USPS does not govern the relocation of residential mailboxes. They allow local Postmasters to decide what is best for their area and mail service. You could make a quick trip or call the post office, but I have had better luck sending letters. You may want to send some cookies to sweeten the deal. USPS mailbox location rules are strict. You need approval before moving your mailbox.
Consider exposure when you move it as well as the color of the box. If you plan to move your mailbox, consider how the location is affected by weather during different seasons. If possible, consider relocating your house mailbox somewhere that will be shaded from the sun. In direct sunlight, a mailbox may become a miniature oven, cooking your mail. You may never realize the damage done to some items. For example, it would be easy to spot crayons or makeup damaged by heat, but you might not notice the potential damage done to mail-order pharmaceuticals. Please be conscious of how long your house mailbox will be exposed to direct sunlight. Porches are a great option.
Consider sight-lines when relocating a residential mailbox because highly visible mailbox locations can also deter thieves and vandals.
Avoid over-engineering your mailbox. I married this man. You may ask “Can I move my malbox” if you have been a victim of mailbox vandalism. Some people respond by over-engineering the replacement mailbox post for the new residential mailbox. This may also seem like an intuitive response for homeowners who have had their mailbox post knocked over by vandals and drunks; however, a mailbox post that will not bend can be a legal liability. For instance, imagine the liability you could incur if a neighbor lost control of their vehicle and hit your mailbox, causing them undue injury or worse. According to the USPS, the mailbox post should snap at the base and give way to impact. I don’t think any of the ones my husband ever installed meet those criteria….
Please consider these steps before relocating your mailbox, so you can ensure that the new location of your house mailbox is both legal and ideally placed for long-term service. You also want to be compliant with the HOA and have happy neighbors.
Please keep an eye out for one another. There is a lot of personal information in our mailboxes. Please do not put your name on your box or inside of it unless it locks. If you do, a potential burglar already knows your name before they come to your door.
