AN ENTIRE neighborhood had to waste time fetching residents’ mail for three months because of a strict rule.

The U.S. Postal Service snubbed the area following a minor criminal act in Florida.

Sixteen locals in a south Lakeland neighborhood remained delivery-free for the final three months of 2024, reported NBC-affiliate WFLA.

The problem started last October when vandals damaged their metal community post box – which is federal property.

Mailboxes are protected by federal law, and crimes against them and the postal items they contain are considered a federal offense – attracting possible fines of up to $250,000 or even jail.

But it was minor damage, so just one piece of yellow caution tape was tied around it.

However, USPS refused to deliver mail to the box until it was fixed.

Resident John Swanson told WFLA last Friday that he and other residents had repeatedly complained about the damage – to no avail.

He said: “I like to come out here and get my mail and just go home.

“If I had money or they’d let me do my time I could fix it, but I’m not a government employee.”

It meant that residents had to drive 15 minutes to their nearest post office to pick up their mail.

But this proved difficult and time-consuming for busy families, and impossible for those unable to drive.

The postal service snub also hit the residents particularly hard in the run-up to Christmas, so they asked the station to investigate.

Shannon Behnken, who probes consumer complaints for WFLA, contacted the USPS for an explanation.

And just one day later, the post box was repaired – to Swanson’s delight.

It reportedly took a worker five minutes to complete the job.

A spokesperson for the service confirmed that additional repairs would be booked for a future time slot.

They added in a statement: “The Postal Service strives to always provide the best possible service to our valued customers.

“This includes ensuring the security of the mail for residents.

“We are pleased to announce that, at this specific location, mail delivery resumed on Jan. 10.

“Remaining minor repairs will be completed as soon as possible.”

The USPS has been contacted for further comment.

Full statement from USPS

A spokesperson for the USPS said:

“The Postal Service strives to always provide the best possible service to our valued customers.

“This includes ensuring the security of the mail for residents.

“We are pleased to announce that, at this specific location, mail delivery resumed on Jan. 10.

“Remaining minor repairs will be completed as soon as possible.

“We appreciate our customers’ patience as we work to successfully resolve this situation.

“Customers are reminded that, if they need assistance with mailing or shipping concerns, there are a variety of options for reaching us, including contacting their local Post Office, calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777), or visiting our website at www.usps.com/help.”

BIG FINES

The service has previously said, “violators can be fined or imprisoned for each act of vandalism” upon mailboxes.

It also explained that damaged mailboxes have to be replaced, costing the owner time, money and inconvenience, adding, “meanwhile, the mail cannot be delivered.

“Many people depend on receiving monthly checks and other financial support through the mail, so doing without their mail negatively affects their lives.

“And some damaged mail cannot be replaced – family photos, letters from sons and daughters serving in the military overseas, and other priceless keepsakes that mean so much to the recipient.”

In 2022 it warned on its website: “Mailboxes are protected by federal law and crimes against mailboxes (and the mail inside) are investigated by Postal Inspectors.

“Those who are convicted of destruction of federal property could spend up to three years in jail and be fined up to $250,000.”

In other postal news, the U.S. Sun has reported that mail trucks are in for a big re-design after the mission to electrify the USPS delivery fleet hit a major roadblock.

The manufacturer behind the new electric vehicles indicated it would be willing to build gas-powered trucks instead of EVs – to appease President Donald Trump and keep its multi-billion dollar contracts.