Mail Theft and Crime: A Growing Concern for the US Postal Service

The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability has called attention to the widespread issue of mail theft and its effects on Americans. Subcommittee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas) emphasized the need for Congress to support the United States Postal Service's (USPS) efforts to combat mail theft and protect mail carriers. The hearing highlighted the USPS's response to mail theft, including the creation of Project Safe Delivery, but also revealed an 845 percent increase in letter carrier robberies from 2019 to 2023.

Key Takeaways:

• The USPS delivers mail to every address in the nation 6 days a week, with numerous points where mail theft can occur.
• Mail theft creates distrust in the USPS system, resulting in fewer people using the mail, and is a key issue for the Postal Service to address to become self-sufficient.
• The USPS has created a strategy called Project Safe Delivery to combat mail theft, but letter carrier robberies have increased by 845 percent from 2019 to 2023.
• The Government Operations Subcommittee works on a bipartisan basis, with members including Subcommittee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas), Mr. Mfume, and Mr. Frost.
• The hearing aimed to discuss how to effectively combat mail theft and related crime, with a focus on supporting the USPS in its goal of becoming self-sufficient.

Statistics:

• 845 percent increase in letter carrier robberies from 2019 to 2023.
• 6 days a week: the frequency at which the USPS delivers mail to every address in the nation.

Sources:

• Subcommittee on Government Operations Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas), press release, "An Update on Mail Theft and Crime."