Rise in Armed Robberies of Mail Carriers in Oakland

Rise in Armed Robberies of Mail Carriers in Oakland

Oakland and Emeryville residents are being urged to help postal authorities apprehend criminals who have been involved in armed robberies of mail carriers in recent months. According to reports, about 20 open cases of robberies and assaults have been reported in the past year, with four mail carriers robbed last month alone. Postal authorities have described the rise in these types of crimes as "troubling."

The Oakland Postmaster, Sunil Chanan, himself a former carrier, expressed concerns over the safety of mail carriers, who he says are increasingly becoming the targets of criminals with no concern for their well-being. He also noted that mail carriers are not armed and aren't accompanied by security guards. The National Association of Letter Carriers, the union representing mail carriers, has also voiced their concerns about the situation, saying that carriers shouldn't have to come to work worrying about being robbed.

Robberies of postal carriers and thefts of mail from mailboxes have always been a problem, but they're on the upswing in Oakland in recent months. In most cases, assailants have displayed guns and snuck up on carriers walking their routes, leapt out of cars without license plates, or approached carriers in their trucks. The robbers are suspected of being part of a crime ring or organized effort to steal mail, and the main target appears to be the ring of keys that gives carriers access to mailboxes. Contents of the boxes are then stolen.

Postal authorities are asking the public to keep an eye out for their mail carriers and to contact not only police but federal postal inspectors, the USPS' law enforcement arm, if they see anything suspicious. Anyone who sees someone following a mail carrier or someone emptying a mailbox who's not in a postal service uniform or driving a postal vehicle should call 911 first, then contact the postal inspectors at 877-876-2455 or visit www.uspis.gov/report.

The postal service is offering a $50,000 reward to anyone providing information that leads to the arrest or conviction of someone involved in the robberies. It's worth noting that robbing a postal carrier is a federal offense that can result in a prison sentence of up to 25 years.

Mail carriers are essential workers who play a vital role in our communities. They ensure that critical documents and packages are delivered to our homes and businesses every day. The rise in armed robberies of mail carriers in Oakland is a cause for concern, and it's essential that residents take the necessary steps to help postal authorities apprehend these criminals. By working together, we can help protect our mail carriers and ensure that they can carry out their duties safely.