(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) A zip code in Seattle with 49,000 citizens will no longer receive mail because of skyrocketing amounts of theft, particularly in apartments and townhouses.
According to the Post Millennial, several thieves managed to obtain a master key that can get into mailboxes all over the 98118 zip code. The United States Postal Service could not give a definite report on how many people are not receiving their mail.
Seattle’s US Postal Inspector announced the beginning of the investigation, but in the meantime residents reported that they must pick up their mail at the post office until early June.
Surveillance videos of the crimes showed the suspects stealing mail with relative ease. They were able to grab mail from every box in under a minute using the master key, also known as an arrow key.
USPS recently announced the drastic increase of mail robberies, which already rose by nearly 50% this year.
“There has been an increase in letter carrier robberies nationwide where criminals are targeting letter carriers for their Arrow and Modified Arrow Lock Keys,” USPS said in a statement.
A 2020 audit revealed that USPS does not know “the number of arrow keys in circulation” and “local units did not adequately report lost, stolen, or broken keys.” The audit recommended putting together an inventory of keys.
As a reaction to the increased thefts, USPS said it is swapping 49,000 arrow locks with electronic locks. Seattle USPS did not clarify when those changes will be implemented.
Mail thieves can face up to five years in prison, or up to ten if found possessing, concealment or disposal of mail.
Seattle USPS also faced an increase of gas thefts from delivery trucks, resulting in thousands of dollars of damage and severely damaged equipment.
The city overall broke crime records in 2022 with a 4% increase compared to 2021—the year that set the previous all-time high.
Over 600 police officers left the local department after the 2020 Black Lives Matter riots and the city’s defund the police movement, faced termination for refusing to comply to vaccination mandates, or simply retired or transferred.
