Postal carrier robbed in Trenton

Unfortunately, theft crimes are rampant during this time of year. On Tuesday, December 26 at approximately 12:30 p.m. a United States Postal Service Mail Carrier was robbed at gunpoint on the 800 block of Revere Avenue. The gunman demanded keys from the postal worker, who complied. The suspect is described as a black male, 20 to 30 years old and 5’8″ to 6’0″ tall. According to Trenton Detective Lieutenant Brian Jones, the investigation is ongoing in conjunction with the U.S.P.S. Inspector General. 

The United States Postal Service (USPS) and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) have jointly amplified measures to safeguard both Postal employees and the country’s mail and packages. This decision comes as a response to the escalating threats and attacks faced by letter carriers, alongside a surge in mail fraud incidents nationwide. The aim is to address these challenges and bolster security amid the current rise in crime rates.

There’s been a concerning surge in letter carrier robberies nationwide. In the fiscal year 2022, 412 USPS letter carriers fell victim to robberies while on duty. The trend has escalated further in the first half of FY23, with 305 reported incidents, signaling a growing prevalence of these attacks. Moreover, the agency noted a rise in high-volume mail theft incidents from mail collection points, notably blue collection boxes, recording 38,500 cases in FY22 and over 25,000 in the initial half of FY23. The Postal Service is committed to collaborating with its unions and management associations to enhance training and employee education for letter carriers and other postal workers as part of ongoing efforts to address these challenges.

The USPS and USPIS are intensifying efforts under Project Safe Delivery to enhance security measures for postal employees and combat criminal activities, including:

1. Installing 12,000 High-Security Blue Collection Boxes nationwide to deter criminal access to mail contents. Deployment targets high-security risk zones and plans to assess additional box replacements.
2. Substituting 49,000 antiquated Arrow Locks with Electronic Locks due to a surge in nationwide letter carrier robberies targeting Arrow and Modified Arrow Lock keys. The aim is to devalue these keys for criminal use, with new locks already in place in some cities and further installations slated for major metropolitan areas. Additionally, both agencies will conduct heightened Arrow Key accountability reviews in select high Postal crime regions.
3. Enhanced in-person change of address transactions will be available at Post Offices and retail outlets. Customers can verify their identity by presenting approved identification to a retail clerk.
4. As part of the updated process, customers requesting a change of address will receive a validation letter at their old address and an activation letter at their new address.
5. To further bolster security, the Postal Service will cease accepting third-party change of address submissions.

The Postal Inspection Service remains committed to collaborating with federal, state, and local authorities consistently, ensuring law enforcement and the pursuit of justice against criminals throughout the year. The Postal Service, along with the Postal Inspection Service, remains vigilant in adapting to emerging security threats.

To keep up to date on further preventative measures taken by the U.S.P.S. as well as ways in which the public can help to prevent mail theft, visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2023/0512-usps-postal-inspection-service-roll-out-expanded-measures-to-crack-down-on-mail-theft.htm.