An Update on Mail Theft and Crime

House Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce

2025-07-23

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Summary

The Subcommittee on Government Operations convened to discuss the United States Postal Service's (USPS) response to a significant surge in mail theft and associated crimes, particularly those targeting letter carriers and compromising the integrity of the mail system, which is a vital lifeline for many Americans nationwide [ 00:26:34 ] [ 00:29:19-00:29:25 ]

[ 00:31:54-00:31:59 ] . The hearing aimed to review current mitigation strategies, assess their effectiveness, and identify areas requiring further intervention and legislative support [ 00:27:17 ] [ 00:27:45 ] .

Themes

Mail Theft and Letter Carrier Safety

The Postal Service has experienced a dramatic increase in crime, with letter carrier robberies rising by 845% from 2019 to 2023, and serious crimes against postal employees nearly doubling in the same period [ 00:27:25 ]

[ 00:29:33-00:29:40 ] . In fiscal year 2024 alone, over 268,000 complaints of mail and receptacle theft were received, and the theft of universal arrow keys used by carriers surged from 1,300 reports in 2020 to more than 3,400 in 2024 [ 00:29:53 ] [ 00:30:48 ] . This criminal activity is driven by organized groups perpetrating low-risk, high-reward financial crimes like check fraud, which resulted in an estimated $688 million in losses in 2023 [ 00:31:18 ] . The human cost is significant, with five letter carriers murdered since 2022 and thousands violently attacked, fostering distrust in the system and endangering public servants [ 00:27:50 ] .

Project Safe Delivery and Mitigation Efforts

The Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) launched "Project Safe Delivery" to combat these crimes, implementing a national strategy that has yielded notable progress [ 00:27:17 ]

. Key actions include installing over 23,000 high-security blue collection boxes and replacing more than 42,000 antiquated arrow locks with electronic ones . Since its launch, USPIS has made over 419 arrests for letter carrier robberies and more than 2,700 arrests for mail theft-related crimes . The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has developed data tools to identify $250 million in stolen financial instruments, leading to 75 investigations and over 35 indictments . These efforts have contributed to a 27% decrease in letter carrier robberies and a 20% decrease in mail theft complaints in the last fiscal year .

Role of Postal Police Officers (PPOs)

A point of contention revolved around the decision in 2020 to limit the jurisdiction of Postal Police Officers (PPOs) to postal facilities, preventing them from assisting with crimes like mail theft or attacks on carriers outside these properties . Critics argue this policy has led to a "measurable collapse in institutional responsibility" and effectively invited postal crime, advocating for the restoration of PPO authority to patrol high-risk areas through legislation like H.R. 2095 . The Government Accountability Office (GAO) also found that the USPIS lacked proper documentation for determining staffing needs and a clear strategy for prevention .

Collaboration and Community Engagement

Collaboration with local law enforcement, such as the St. Petersburg Police Department, has been instrumental, allowing task force officers to investigate crimes across jurisdictional boundaries, which was previously a challenge . The USPIS also partners with banking associations to distribute fraud prevention materials and encourages public awareness, including using the "informed delivery" system to track mail and promptly report damaged mailboxes [ 01:39:36-01:40:00 ]

[ 01:42:17-01:42:35 ] . These partnerships are crucial for extending law enforcement reach and ensuring community safety .

Challenges and Future Needs

Despite progress, challenges remain, particularly concerning lax prosecutorial and sentencing climates in some jurisdictions, where an 89% arrest clearance rate does not translate to high conviction rates [ 00:30:04-00:30:11 ]

. There is an urgent call for congressional action, including passing the "Protect Our Letter Carriers Act," to provide resources for faster modernization of security systems and to deter crimes effectively [ 01:44:53-01:45:11 ] . The need for a comprehensive assessment of the inspector workforce and security procedures is recognized, with results expected by September 1st .

Tone of the Meeting

The meeting's tone was largely serious and concerned, reflecting the gravity of the crimes discussed and their impact on postal employees and public trust [ 00:29:25 ]

. There was a strong bipartisan commitment to addressing the issue, with members emphasizing collaboration over conflict [ 00:28:49-00:29:03 ] . A sense of urgency was evident, with speakers highlighting the need for immediate legislative and operational changes to protect letter carriers and ensure the security of the mail . Frustration was also expressed regarding past policy decisions, particularly concerning the limited jurisdiction of Postal Police Officers, and the slow pace of implementing necessary security modernizations [ 01:48:54-01:48:55 ] [ 01:50:10-01:50:13 ] . Overall, the subcommittee demonstrated appreciation and respect for the witnesses and the dedication of postal workers .