FOLLOWUP: Missing mailbox, month three

That’s the spot outside the West Seattle Junction Post Office where thieves stole the drive-up/ride-up/walk-up mailbox in late November. Still no replacement. USPS regional spokesperson Kim Frum told us in November that it would be replaced, but there was no timeline. We just checked in with her again – same thing: “The good news is the box is supposed to be replaced. Unfortunately, there is still no timeframe for when this will happen. We appreciate our customers’ understanding and patience. And hope to have the box replaced soon.” The mailbox that was stolen had been installed seven months earlier … described as a more-secure box than its larger predecessor. As for past replacement times … our archives note two occasions where the Westwood Village box was gone for almost four months (as well as another incident in which it was replaced within a week).

BetterSafeThan... February 9, 2024 (2:33 pm)

Although of course it’s more of a hassle, at this point I think the safer and smarter thing to do is drop off all your mail in the slot inside during Lobby Hours (which according to the USPS website is Mon-Sat, 6:30AM-7PM at this location).

GHR February 9, 2024 (4:31 pm)

I stopped by this post office last Friday to drop off a letter around 7:45 am and the lobby was locked. I would assume the hours listed on the website are incorrect and plan accordingly.
John February 9, 2024 (6:37 pm)

That’s what I do because the pickup times on the box are meaningless! Several years ago I took a letter up to the Westwood village Post office for my grandmother as well as a package and I thought that I had accidentally tossed my wallet in with the mail because I couldn’t find it.My grandmother wanted me to make the 11:30 pick up after I got off work and realized my wallet was missing and had looked for it for a while I went back at around 4:30 asking if they had found a wallet and they told me they hadn’t brought in any mail all day. I miss when the inside of the Westwood village Post office used to be open late before the troublemakers It was nice especially around the holidays to be able to go up there when it wasn’t crazy busy and dropped stuff in the slot or print labels

Al King February 9, 2024 (2:56 pm)

WSB. Did postal official say if they found the stolen box? And, if they know what happened to the mail in it? I was in the post office about a month ago and the employee told me they’d heard nothing from management or postal inspectors.

Mellow Kitty February 10, 2024 (10:11 am)

It’s a good bet the mail is gone. Anything that was in that box is unrecoverable. My guess is the box itself is at the bottom of a lake or in the Sound.

Chuck February 9, 2024 (5:12 pm)

I’ve posted this same comment before. The USPS has a facilities department that maintains their buildings and mailboxes. In a city the size of Seattle why wouldn’t they have a couple of these in inventory, ready to go? When the Junction box went missing it could have been replaced the same day. A replacement for the unit removed from inventory could then be ordered immediately so it would be ready for the next time a mailbox is damaged or stolen in the city.

waikikigirl February 9, 2024 (5:15 pm)

The Burien PO moved their drive up box to the inside of their chain-link fenced off area and just has the slot sticking out thru the fence. I thought that was pretty ingenious!

Odd son February 9, 2024 (5:51 pm)

I noticed people park in the through lane now that there are cones over the old PO box space. I realize this is a busy post office with little parking. Please don’t block through traffic or put your vehicle in a place where it’s likely to block in vehicles or possibly get hit by someone leaving a legal parking space. Also, stop parking or waiting on CA in the space that is marked No Stops because it blocks the view when leaving via the marked exit. The exit is marked and the arrows and parking spaces are there to show proper entrance. I still see people exiting through the entrance and vice versa. Be safe. Thank you.

Watertowerjim February 10, 2024 (7:42 am)

Is there any way to reconfigure that space and make a slot that drops directly into the building itself?

Cid February 10, 2024 (8:32 am)

Chuck, I was going to suggest the same thing about a back up. The Burien Post Office seems to have a solution. Also I realize it’s for safely, but I’m sure I’m not the only one who hates the new and improved boxes with the slot. I always have to get out of my car to reach it and then carefully slide in envelopes one at a time.

Mellow Kitty February 10, 2024 (10:07 am)

They could put the new mailbox out there with security cameras and I’d still go inside to drop off mail. Location doesn’t matter; standalone mailboxes aren’t secure.

Suzanne February 12, 2024 (4:09 am)

I just happen to be reading an article in the 1/7/2024 NY Times that touches on some of the safety concerns here. Outdoor mailboxes are very difficult to secure even with thin mail slots. Using the mail slot in the lobby is the safest option. (NYT article: “Writing Checks Can Be Risky. Here’s How To Protect Yourself,” https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/07/business/check-fraud-prevention.html?unlocked_article_code=1.U00._SRn.P3r_kqb5PFEv&smid=url-share ).

A commenter said (emphasis added): “Numerous on-street mailboxes in my neighborhood have been removed. Thieves place sticky substances on the thin slots which catch deposited mail, then retrieve the letters.

“My landlord requires payment by check, a practice relatives in the Midwest question.

“Now, I only deposit mail inside the slots in the main Brooklyn Post Office—not in the box outside the doors, which was also targeted and has since been removed.”

Sorry, comment time is over.