Daniel emails this morning:
Late last night or early this morning (April 8), the residents of the Northgate Villa Condominium (Eighth
Avenue Northeast and Northeast 105th Street) had their mailboxes forcibly pried open and their mail stolen. This is the second occurrence in less than a month.
The US Postal Service and the Seattle Police have both acknowledged that there has been a significant increase in residential mail theft in the Northgate and Maple Leaf neighborhoods. Residents are urged to pick up their mail daily and not to leave it out overnight.
We do from time to time get reports of mail theft. You can see a site search here.
The map at right is mail theft reports to Seattle Police in the neighborhood so far this year.
I agree, the cluster box units are a great idea. I have one and it’s been secure. That said please call police whenever you see somebody stealing mail or packages – and take a picture of the suspect if you can.
The Cluster Box Units are great. Was amazed that sixteen neighbors signed on to get one, apparently all had mail stolen at some point. Came to about $125 per household, no mail thefts thus far, secure outgoing mail and incoming package delivery.
@Rick, hate that!! if you can afford one or live where you have your own box, it’s totally worth the $100 to buy a large locking box. Also, i have all packages delivered to my work. Just a though and thanks for the heads-up on the disheveled cyclist.
There is a man in his mid thirties that carries a backpack on a bike. He is somewhat unkempt looking and disheveled. He had been observed taking boxes from porches and opening them, taking their contents. He has been seen on several occasions doing this.