Open mail and packaging found

December 23rd, 2009 · 19 Comments

We got a note this morning from Margaret:

This morning I found open packaging and mail. Some mail was not opened but the holiday cards clearly were. This looks like it was all stolen from people’s porches and mail boxes.

These items came from addresses in the 92nd-95th blocks in the Dayton Ave N, Evanston and N 92nd area. Packaging was Amazon. I will be making an attempt to contact the addressees on the envelopes this evening, 12/23/09.

I called the non emergency police # and was told they could not do anything about the items I found until the owners made the report. I can be contacted by email at mwilliamson9750@hotmail.com.

Tags: Uncategorized

19 responses so far ↓

1 agrauer // Dec 23, 2009 at 10:25 am

I live up on 141st ct. and when I got home around 9pm last night all the neighborhood mailboxes at the stand were wide open. Mean people suck.
2 jm // Dec 23, 2009 at 12:32 pm

Last month a woman was seen taking things from mail boxes and it was reported on this web site. Her license plate was reported and a number of people commented on the activity and then we didn’t hear if she was arrested or not. Could it the same person doing this?
3 jm // Dec 23, 2009 at 12:37 pm

This was one of last month’s topics:

http://www.phinneywood.com/forum/topic.php?id=347
4 Fluffhead // Dec 23, 2009 at 3:31 pm

That was me. I called a couple times, and was referred to a Detective. I’ve left a couple messages, but haven’t heard back.

I’ll post in the forums if I hear anything. Essentially, she took 3 Netflix movies, which Netflix has replaced, so at this point, it’s more the principle of the thing. And the need to stop the woman from doing it again…
5 Neighbor // Dec 23, 2009 at 3:43 pm

I think it would be wise to contact the post office as they would investigate the theft of mail, a felony.

Maybe they can lift prints/dna and find some dumb ass meth head they’ve gotten before.
6 BroadviewBully // Dec 23, 2009 at 5:29 pm

As much as it sucks to have to go to the extra expense and trouble, unless you have a mail slot in the door of our house, you have to get a lockable/secure mailbox. I got one at Lowe’s for $60 and installed it in about 15 minutes. You wouldn’t leave your car unlocked anymore, why would you leave your mail unlocked given all the important stuff that still comes through the mail?
7 Neighbor // Dec 23, 2009 at 6:51 pm

Above is the link where you can then find a place to file a report for mail theft. They’ll pursue the issue, unlike SPD.
8 RidgeDweller // Dec 23, 2009 at 6:59 pm

A lockable mailbox only protects the mail being delivered. It does nothing for the outgoing mail. But it’s a helpful idea.
9 john walker // Dec 23, 2009 at 7:08 pm

as for outgoing mail, don’t put it in your mailbox and raise the flag. use the box at the post office. those days are over.
10 Whopper // Dec 24, 2009 at 6:18 am

For outgoing mail, put a box out filled with peanuts and at least 3 cocked rat traps. It gives me a Christmas thrill to know one of these POS will spend Christmas trying to reattach a couple of fingers.
11 nettieboop // Dec 24, 2009 at 9:10 am

We have a secure mailbox – well..somewhat secure. I have really thin hands/wrists and could easitly get in if I wanted to. It is a deterrent though. As far as outgoing mail is concerned, I would NEVER use my mailbox to do so – why risk it! There are USPS mailboxes all over the city. Have a good Christmas everyone! And thanks for reporting this Margaret, neighbor!
12 Monty Piethong // Dec 24, 2009 at 10:28 am

I agree with John Walker, this is not a Norman Rockwell neighborhood.
13 Whopper // Dec 24, 2009 at 10:45 am

“this is not a Norman Rockwell neighborhood.”

So how do we get that back? What was so special about ‘Norman Rockwell’ neighborhoods that robbery was unacceptable?
14 DaytonFolks // Dec 24, 2009 at 10:54 am

Thanks so much to Margaret for posting this and dropping the empty boxes back at our house!
15 Diana // Dec 24, 2009 at 6:44 pm

I think sites like this help bring back the “Norman Rockwell” neighborhood. It makes us (hopefully people who care, want to make a positive difference, and serve) aware of our surroundings and be willing to step up and say that certain actions aren’t right. Pretty sure the “bad guys” will be weeded out or move somewhere else… someday
16 B // Dec 25, 2009 at 10:21 pm

I can’t reiterate enough to buy a locking mailbox. I got mine, along with a lot of neighbors on my street, from http://www.oregontrailbox.com. Back in December of ’07, two of us on our block had mail stolen that led to identity theft. This involved credit cards being issued in our names and was a huge stressful mess to resolve. Yes it is a federal offense and a postal inspector will get involved, but I was told it most likely was a meth addict and will be hard to catch. Frustrating!
17 anotherneighbor // Dec 27, 2009 at 6:12 am

We’re thinking about getting a locking mailbox too. Does anyone know — how does a keyed mailbox work? Do we give a key to the mail carriers, or do they have a master?
18 Broadview Bully // Dec 27, 2009 at 1:10 pm

A lockable mailbox has a slot where the mailman can slide the mail in, and there is a lockable door that you use your key to unlock and retrieve the mail. The mailman doesn’t need a key.
19 anotherneighbor // Dec 27, 2009 at 10:32 pm

Ok, thank you Broadview Bully