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THE USPS has blocked mail from delivering to an entire neighborhood, forcing tenants to worry about missing important documents – or even losing their jobs.
Residents are stuck dealing with mail delays due to broken mailboxes at their apartment complex in northwest Atlanta.
Since December, tenants at Columbia Estates Apartments have had to pick up their mail at the US Post Office three miles away from the complex.
However, customers said their mail somtimes doesn’t even arrive at the post office.
“I have lost so much because I’m not getting mail,” resident Getta told ABC affiliate WSB-TV.
“And my job is in jeopardy because I’m waiting on some important documents from another state.”
Another resident named Ian added, “It’s taxes. I need to get my tax information to do my taxes, and still, I need my mail.”
The problem started when someone vandalized the mailboxes.
Then, the receptacle broke, leaving it to swing open and leave the mail unattended.
The mail then stopped arriving at all.
Ian said getting his mail from the post office caused a “back and forth” when they reported not having his documents.
The USPS told WSB-TV they’re aware of the issues.
“Currently, the condition of the mail receptacles does not allow for secure delivery of mail,” the USPS said.
“Local postal management is working with the leasing office, which is responsible for the repair of the receptacles at this complex, to resolve this issue.”
The USPS hasn’t responded to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
While the USPS says it’s the apartment’s job to fix the mailboxes, the residential company said it’s taking longer than expected.
Statement from USPS
The United States Postal Service said Columbia Residential tenants can’t reeive their mail due to the state of their mailbox.
“Currently, the condition of the mail receptacles does not allow for secure delivery of mail,” the USPS said in a statement to ABC affiliate WSB-TV.
“Local postal management is working with the leasing office, which is responsible for the repair of the receptacles at this complex, to resolve this issue.”
Source: WSB-TV
“The property management team is aware that the master lock for the community mailboxes was vandalized, rendering it inoperable,” Columbia Residential told WSB-TV.
“The USPS has changed the standard for mailboxes and the footprint needed is larger than the previous boxes, so it is taking longer than expected for us to resolve the situation.”
However, Columbia Residential said they plan to install a new mailbox to meet USPS standards “over the next few weeks.”
“In the interim, we are working closely with the post office to ensure our residents are able to receive their mail,” they told the outlet.
Columbia Residential didn’t return The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
The delay in Atlanta comes as an entire neighborhood in Dallas, Texas, had their USPS box raided by a thief with stolen master keys.
