USPS workers attacked in California neighborhood, delivery suspended
United States Postal Service workers are once again delivering mail in a Southern California neighborhood after services were suspended following attacks on postal carriers.
The USPS said in a statement that road conditions in Santa Monica, Calif., will be “continuously reviewed” to ensure employees are safe while delivering mail. The organization has also been in talks with the Santa Monica Police Department.
Police said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that USPS employees were back delivering mail on the block.
Previous attacks against postal service employees:2 Postal Service workers killed after shooting at Memphis facility, FBI says; dead suspect
The incidents occurred in January, February and April. Natashi Garvins, a spokeswoman for the Postal Service, said three postmen were attacked in total.
It’s a federal crime to assault a postal worker.
According to the police’s Facebook post, on January 19, someone on the street assaulted a postman with a broomstick. The USPS employee suffered a minor arm injury but did not require medical attention.
Police said they took a report and contacted the victim. A month after the assault, the victim decided not to file a complaint.
“Besides this particular incident, no additional crime reports involving the US Postal Service have been forwarded to the SMPD,” police said in the Facebook post.
They said they spoke to a U.S. Postal Inspection Service inspector about the suspect who may have attacked other postmen. The inspector did not recall any additional reports, but said the USPS was trying to find other postal workers who may have been attacked.
A notice was posted to mailboxes on April 7, after the third and final incident, advising residents that service was suspended, the USPS said.
“It is unfortunate, but please note that the Postal Service does not enter into the decision to suspend service lightly,” the letter read.
Police said they first discovered the letter when it was posted on Twitter over the weekend.
The USPS said that in 2020, the Postal Inspection Service responded to more than 7,000 reports of violent crimes against postal workers, including threats, assaults and homicides. More than 5,800 employees were attacked by dogs in 2020.
Attacks on USPS workers: More than 5,800 mail carriers were attacked by dogs in 2020, according to the US Postal Service
At an October 2021 event, Chief Postal Inspector Gary R. Barksdale said the Inspectorate investigated four shootings that month targeting employees – four died and another was seriously injured. injured.
“While protecting mail and valuable postal assets is every employee’s concern, you are your most important delivery,” Barksdale said at the time. “You may know your route inside out, but never take your safety for granted. If you feel unsafe, focus first and foremost on your own personal safety.
USA Today
