Postal Police Restricted from Patrolling Amidst Rising Mail Carrier Crimes

Increasing Crimes Against Mail Carriers

• 🚨 Crimes against mail carriers are on the rise, including violent incidents and the theft of arrow keys, which are master keys for mailboxes.
• 🔑 Criminals are obtaining these keys through robbery and assault, demanding them at gunpoint from letter carriers.
• 🗺️ Investigations have mapped over 100 physical assaults in Queens, 42 robberies in Manhattan, and 11 burglaries in Brooklyn over the past 5 years.

Postal Police Union's Concerns

• 👮 Frank Albero, a postal police officer and union president, states that the postal police force is unable to patrol effectively.
• 🏢 Current restrictions, implemented in 2020, limit postal police to protecting postal property and facilities, rather than investigating crimes outside of these areas.
• ⚠️ Officers are described as being "stuck in buildings" and protecting structures instead of people and mail.

Postal Service Response and Legislative Efforts

• 🏛️ The Postal Service claims the union is incorrect, stating officers are assigned to facilities for security and deterrence.
• 🚫 They maintain that if an incident occurs across the street, officers should stand down and call 911 rather than intervene.
• 📜 Multiple bills have been introduced by lawmakers to change these restrictions, but none have become law.