topic Re: Someone is messing with my mailbox in Community Chat

Someone is messing with my mailbox

cookinfreak — Wed, 19 May 2021 20:05:52 GMT

I live in a townhome and we have 5 mailboxes on a stand by the driveway. Mine has been hit with something and knocked off the stand several times. A couple of days ago, I was getting my mail and someone had picked up dog poop in a bag, rolled it up and put it in my mailbox. What would you do? I don't have ring or any kind of device like that. The mailboxes are just far enough from our homes that I don't think it could catch anything.

I also had a small flower planter that was taken off my front porch a couple years ago. I think someone has a grudge against me. What are any thoughts??

Thanks!

cookin

Re: Someone is messing with my mailbox

suziebee1 — Wed, 19 May 2021 20:07:58 GMT

Definitely put a Ring on your porch. Consider getting a PO Box if they continue to mess with your mailbox.

Re: Someone is messing with my mailbox

kaydee50 — Wed, 19 May 2021 20:09:52 GMT

There's no lock on your mailbox??? I would definitely get a PO Box then.

Re: Someone is messing with my mailbox

Jaspersmom — Wed, 19 May 2021 20:16:50 GMT

I live in condo community and we have locked mailboxes that only the mailman and resident can access. I'm thinking someone thinks you have a dog that you're not picking up after. My next thought is someone doesn't like you because of some other behavior, religion, political beliefs, etc. If no one else is having a problem, then someone is having a problem with you. Anyway, report it to your HOA, post office and maybe even file a police report. Time for a Ring doorbell.

Re: Someone is messing with my mailbox

geezerette — Wed, 19 May 2021 20:17:28 GMT

Is it just your mailbox or are the others having problems too?

(I assume from your post that all the boxes are close together.)

Re: Someone is messing with my mailbox

silkyk — Wed, 19 May 2021 20:18:56 GMT

Get yourself a trail camera and set it up so it's hidden but has a clear shot of the mailbox.My trail cam has caught everything from a cougar to a "2 legged" skunk. Well worth the money (not that much) to see (and have proof) of what goes on when you are not around.

Re: Someone is messing with my mailbox

decaf — Wed, 19 May 2021 20:22:37 GMT

I would visit my postmaster, in person, to make a written report. What they are doing is against the law. Then I'd ask the postmaster for advice on how to stop this vandalism. This is serious, it's a possibility they could be stealing your mail too, but, of course, how would you even know?

Re: Someone is messing with my mailbox

decaf — Wed, 19 May 2021 20:48:26 GMT

@cookinfreak Pllease remember to take photos of any vandalism too!

Re: Someone is messing with my mailbox

Marp — Wed, 19 May 2021 21:46:53 GMT

@decaf wrote:
I would visit my postmaster, in person, to make a written report. What they are doing is against the law. Then I'd ask the postmaster for advice on how to stop this vandalism. This is serious, it's a possibility they could be stealing your mail too, but, of course, how would you even know?

@decaf, not a complete answer because it isn't always accurate but signing up for Informed Delivery with USPS would be a step in the right direction.

Re: Someone is messing with my mailbox

Sage04 — Wed, 19 May 2021 22:41:23 GMT

@Jaspersmom wrote:
I live in condo community and we have locked mailboxes that only the mailman and resident can access. I'm thinking someone thinks you have a dog that you're not picking up after. My next thought is someone doesn't like you because of some other behavior, religion, political beliefs, etc. If no one else is having a problem, then someone is having a problem with you. Anyway, report it to your HOA, post office and maybe even file a police report. Time for a Ring doorbell.

@Jaspersmom what you said about the dog, could be the answer.

Re: Someone is messing with my mailbox

Mz iMac — Thu, 20 May 2021 00:10:28 GMT

@cookinfreak

FWIW......

Mailboxes are FEDERAL property. In your case, vandalism, for example, individuals can be fined up to $250,000 per each act of mailbox vandalism. If mailboxes were considered private property, the U.S. government wouldn't be able to impose such stiff fines.

You need to report these vandalisms to the police ASAP. Since you do not have video survalliance, I would strongly suggest that you get one. You should have purchased one after the FIRST incident.

Also, if any of your neighbors have them, notify the police. The police will be able to review the tapes to see who is vandalizing your mailbox.

What I find strange about your post is why your mailbox is not locked?

Sounds to me you may have a case against your HOA if they did not provide locks which only the post person & you have a key.

Good luck!

Re: Someone is messing with my mailbox

decaf — Thu, 20 May 2021 00:13:31 GMT

@Marp wrote:
@decaf wrote:
I would visit my postmaster, in person, to make a written report. What they are doing is against the law. Then I'd ask the postmaster for advice on how to stop this vandalism. This is serious, it's a possibility they could be stealing your mail too, but, of course, how would you even know?
@decaf, not a complete answer because it isn't always accurate but signing up for Informed Delivery with USPS would be a step in the right direction.

@MarpGood you thought about that!. It didn't cross my mind, I did have it a while back, for less than one week. I found it had accuracy problems and sometimes I got the mail before the notification.

Re: Someone is messing with my mailbox

Spurt — Thu, 20 May 2021 00:44:10 GMT

@decaf

She would know if her mail was stolen if she signed up for informed delivery at usps.com they take a photo of the mail you will receive that day and email you the information

Re: Someone is messing with my mailbox

riley1 — Thu, 20 May 2021 11:57:17 GMT

I agree with other suggestions to either get a Ring or trail camera. And, since someone other than a Postal employee is putting things in your mailbox, go to the PO and file a complaint.

Start taking pictures of what is in your mailbox so you have proof.

Re: Someone is messing with my mailbox

CelticCrafter — Thu, 20 May 2021 12:05:07 GMT

#1 - there are 5 mailboxes, where is yours? One of the ends or middle that it's been knocked off the stand several times. How long ago did it start?

#2 - the planter was stolen from your porch years ago.

#3 - the bag of poop - I have no words.

JMO but I think you are making more of this than necessary as far as someone holding a grudge unless it's all happened within a few days.

Re: Someone is messing with my mailbox

cookinfreak — Thu, 20 May 2021 16:01:41 GMT

@Daisy Sunflower

No, I don't have a dog

@Mz iMac

Our mailboxes are just the basic mailboxes all in a row on a wooden structure. I do not have an HOA

My mailbox is on one of the ends

cookin

Re: Someone is messing with my mailbox

shoesnbags — Thu, 20 May 2021 16:39:00 GMT

@cookinfreak wrote:
@Daisy Sunflower
No, I don't have a dog
@Mz iMac
Our mailboxes are just the basic mailboxes all in a row on a wooden structure. I do not have an HOA
My mailbox is on one of the ends
cookin

@cookinfreak

Do any of the other mailbox owners in your group own a dog? I wonder if someone is doing things to the wrong mailbox. The dog poop does seem to suggest that there's someone who has an issue with dog poop on their property. This issue often comes up on Nextdoor.com and there are always people who suggest leaving the poop on the dog owners property. Maybe they think your mailbox belongs to the dog owner.

Re: Someone is messing with my mailbox

ScarletDove — Thu, 20 May 2021 18:10:50 GMT

FYI: "Only authorized USPS letter carriers may insert mail into a residential mailbox."

"... Vandalizing a mailbox is a federal crime. Vandalism in this context means any type of destruction or property damage to the mailbox itself or inserting something into the mailbox with the intention of defacing or destroying the mail inside. If you're found guilty of mailbox vandalism, you can expect a fine up to $250,000 and up to three years in a federal prison for each willful act...."

Quoted from LegalBeagle.com

Re: Someone is messing with my mailbox

BirkiLady — Thu, 20 May 2021 18:18:40 GMT

School is out this week. Sounds like kids being annoying kids, but need some structure in their lives. Report it to the Police so they will patrol your neighborhood often and keep reports of similar incidents. Never know when (or if) this phone call will find the culprets and the kids will realize their behaviors are not acceptable.

Imagine the police will have them replace, repair or clean up any property destroyed or stolen; their parents will be horrified and much tougher as far as disappointment and grounding. Lessons will be learned.

Re: Someone is messing with my mailbox

chickenbutt — Thu, 20 May 2021 18:26:51 GMT

I really would set up a camera that is pointed in that area, if at all possible. This is awful and I'm sorry you are experiencing it.

I'm glad that my mailbox is on the front of my house and I hope they never change it to where they have to start putting the mailboxes for the whole street all in one place, so that the carriers don't have to do footwork. If so, they better have locks on them!