Thanks to Mike for the tip: That sign is now posted at the Westwood Village USPS branch (2721 SW Trenton), with advance warning that its lobby will start closing from 7 pm to 7 am as of February 1st. It’s been almost two years since the West Seattle Junction post office made a similar announcement. That news in March 2018 followed a theft incident; we checked and haven’t found any such recent reports for the Westwood branch, but will be inquiring further on Monday.
Tells you something sad about the Village area and Seattle in general to note the decline of open 24 hour places here due to safety concerns.
Great point! It also speaks to the disinformation campaigns and organized resistance to serving people in that community.
@high point-yes, it has nothing to do with the serial thieves trying to steal mail all night and break the boxes. It’s not about homeless people trying to sleep, or shoot up, or pee in there.. it’s just management deciding – “let’s not serve the community!”
For what it’s worth, this was one of the few locations that was open 24/7. Post Offices in Fremont, Magnolia, and other neighborhoods thought of as “nice” have been closed nights and Sundays for a long time. My co-workers were always surprised and envious when I told them my local PO lobby was open all the time. I’m still super bummed but it does seem like one of the easier ways to cut costs if they’re looking to do so. Especially since it brings them in line with most other locations.
How would this cut costs, other than the pennies saved if they turn off the lights?
If you read the full text, the WSB stated there was no report of the closure being due to safety concerns.
What does this mean for Sundays? Will they still be open during the day?
My bet is on a safety or security issue like at the Post Office on California Ave. It’s so unfair that people who play by the rules constantly have their access or convenience cut back because of the minority who do not play by the rules. Another thing about the California Ave location, their sign says the lobby closes at 7:15. I have been there at 7 and the door is already locked.
This sort of decline in service is why I cancelled my USPS P.O. Box after many years and went with another arrangement. Constantly getting other people’s mail in recent years, ever-increasing renewal costs, illegal to carry a legal, licensed firearm on post office property, overflowing trash cans and recycle bins, faulty APC self-service, machine, etc. I attempted to usethe APC machine at the Factoria post office last night and it kept displaying the weight of my simple envelope as 12.4 pounds and 10.2 pounds. More and more companies will not ship to USPS P.O. boxes but will ship to private boxes with a physical building address and box numbers listed as “unit #”. I will miss the mail security of being able to deposit mail and small psckages inside the drawer or slot in the building after hours rather than in the UNSECURE box outside.
This is happening all over the Puget Sound, The Post Office branch in the west part of Olympia operates weekdays from early morning to 6pm. Then the doors are locked. On Saturday they only stay open to 3pm and then lock the doors. Sunday, all day the PO is closed. This is necessary since the post office suffers from theft, damaged property, accumulations of garbage, trash and disgusting deposits when left open overnight and on all day Sunday. A sign of our declining society in our country.
It seems like the Post Office should/could have a basic keycard type system that many banks have for their ATM (where the customer has to insert their card in order for the door to unlock for ATM use). With all the Post Office boxes there, they could add a few dollars a month to those who want it (could be optional?); I can see closing at 9 or 10, but 7pm? That’s so early.
Seems logical. I mean, it’s a business. I’ve occasionally dropped off packages or picked up my mail outside of those hours. I know that some people, some very small number of people, try to steal mail or misbehave in other ways and I can see the necessity of locking the doors. Also, I’d like to reiterate my appreciation of the folks at the Westwood po. They’ve been almost unfailingly helpful to me over the years. Occasionally I receive someone else’s mail in my po box. When that happens, I drop it at the desk. I appreciate their kindness as they’re asked to do ever more in fewer hours.
24 Hour Fitness is now the only 24-hour accessible business at Westwood Village. That’s a sad sign of the times from the increased urbanization of SW Seattle.
Wait, you mean to tell me the Staples isn’t open at 3am? The increase in residents and potential customers must be why. Only explanation! I hear all the Staples in NYC close at 2 in the afternoon because of urbanization. Or as WTF pointed out, maybe it’s Because we voted for new city council members who *checks notes* aren’t sworn in until later today. Well, at least you can guard the UNSECURED mailbox with your gun in relative silence. I hope there’s enough parking available.
Everyone all butthurt and disappointed that places are forced to close their doors at night because they can no longer expose themselves to unbridled opportunistic thieves. These places still like you and want your business, but you shouldn’t expect them to allow the business to be trashed, or your mail stolen. This is not about you. (Unless you’re among the pos that are taking or ruining others property- then it is about you. And btw- screw you! From the rest of us.)
Starbucks started closing earlier as well – but I just noticed that the Sprint Store closed permanently.
Yes, it took us by surprise too, but the store was completely emptied out tonight when we walked by.
According to the West Seattle Blog, the USPS spokesperson, Ernie Swanson cited homeless people were sleeping in the lobby, harassing customers, leaving behind syringes, human waste, and trash. I was born and raised in Seattle growing up in Arbor Heights, attended Denny Jr High and Sealth HS. I love the city of Seattle and cannot understand how it has gone from majestic, pristine, and magnificent to a cesspool of homeless drug addicts. So sad.
Sorry, comment time is over.
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