Community alert - mail theft

Hi All,

Yesterday, 5/7, a Maspeth resident discovered all their mail was stolen from their mailbox. The discovery was made by coincidence. One neighbor saw the mailman deliver it at about noon and someone else saw it in the mailbox at 3:45 pm. At approximately 5:00 pm when the neighbor arrived home, the mail was gone. The resident reported the theft to the US Postal Service and was told they would get back with a report in two business days.

What is really disturbing is the fact this could be going on every day. If someone is at work or shopping and the mail is stolen they might think they just didn't get any mail that day. It's hard to know what goes on in the minds of thieves but identity theft or stealing checks comes to mind.

• If you are home during the day, make sure you get your mail as soon as possible. A thief may be walking around during the afternoon to see if mail is in the box and makes the assumption the person is at work. steals it, and knows the victim is no wiser.
• If you have a small mailbox consider upgrading to a bigger one so overflowing mail isn't visible to someone on the street.
• Stealing mail is a Federal offense! If you see anyone tampering with someone's mail, call 911 immediately. Give a description of the person, direction he/she went and any vehicle they may have gotten into. The NYPD will detain the perpetrator for the Postal Police. You will not get into trouble if you are mistaken.
• If you are a victim of mail theft, call 311 and they will give you the number for the Postal Service. The NYPD does not take reports for mail thefts.

Please be alert at all times - crime happens everywhere!!

Roe Daraio, President
Comet Civic Association
www.cometcivic.com