One of the problems they have is in the mailbox. Mailbox vandalism. People are just destroying mailboxes for whatever reason, empty, full, and it doesn’t matter. Criminals, yes, criminals are the word, vandalize it.
Because our mail is important, it can have a present, a medicine, or important documents. Or garbage, it is still your mail.
What can you do? Where can you go? Read on, and find some tips for this peculiar situation.
The definition of this crime
Let’s start by defining this serious crime. If you, consciously or on purpose, damage a USPS mailbox in any way, it is a crime. You can’t fill it with anything. You can’t knock to the side; you can’t scratch it. Anything! You can’t do anything about it.
Now, although it is a crime committed primarily by teenagers, it still is considered a crime, and you can do time in prison for it, and or, be charged 250,000 dollars. So be very careful. Because remember, a mailbox is a federal property.
However, you can accidentally do it. Then, there is no problem, but you must act on it. What does this mean? You must tell your neighbor immediately. Then, and only then, you are alright.
What to do if it happens to you?
If you are unfortunate enough to have your mailbox vandalized by someone, here is what to do.
To begin with, go to the police. They must know it happened. They will gather evidence and keep on the alert. If anything happens, the case is open, and you are on the right side of the story.
Then, file a former complaint to the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). That can be done at this website: https://ehome.uspis.gov/mailtheft/vandalize.aspx
After doing both things, you are set. The law knows about it and is moving in your favor.
Can I protect my mailbox?
Nevertheless, sometimes things don’t work out the way we want them to. For example, criminals can continue to vandalize your mailbox, and the police aren’t finding these people. What do you do? Well, you can protect your mailbox. This is a completely legal thing to do, don’t worry about it. It is not against the law.
One way to go, that never fails, or fails very little, is to put cameras. That way, you will know the faces of the criminals.
Another way to go is to get yourself a super mailbox. This means an almost or practically indestructible mailbox.
Now, you can either buy one or build one. Depending on your budget.
Other things to do
It doesn’t end here. There is more that you can do. For example, you can talk to your kids about this, so they know if they ever want to “play” at that game. Let them know you are not going to pay any money, and that means they will be going to jail. You can solve almost any problem, with education.
Also, if you see this happening, although it is not your mail, please do report it immediately. Also, if you know of someone who did this, report it anyway.
If your mail is stolen
It is a very similar scenario. You also have to report it. The crime is even bigger than vandalizing a mailbox because it is up to five years in prison and a 250,000 fine. All mail-related things are federal, so, the crimes are federal too. These crimes are considered minor, but federal crimes nevertheless. And not because they are minor, you should be letting them happen near you. Or to you.
Mail fraud is even worst, for that, they can get you to 30 years of prison. So, if you are close to these activities for whatever reason, get away! And, report it immediately. This is the best you can do. Stay on the lookout, and as safe as possible.
So remember, vandalizing a mailbox is a crime and should be treated as such. Is a small crime, yes, but it still is a federal crime, and you can go to jail for it. If you7r mailbox is being vandalized, report it right away. Then, take the necessary steps to protect your mailbox. One way to go, which can be very powerful, is putting on a camera. Cameras are good, especially the ones that have alarms that detect movement. This can scare away a lot of people.
If we work together, if we all educate one another, maybe a society without crimes is possible.
