For what it is worth, this is not a new problem. We had mail poachers several years back and I took to installing a locking mailbox to avoid the problem. But I do agree that the neighborhood seems to be going down hill due to both this problem, drugs and alcohol use at Duwamish park, some of the less than stellar property owners and of course the ever present speeders. I know I would like to see more drive-bys from the TPD.

I should probably clarify that I don't think it's up to local law enforcement to camp out in the neighborhood just to catch mail thieves. They already have enough to do but a little more of their presence could deter the riff raff from hanging out. After this happened once before in the neighborhood, I didn't want to become a victim. So I changed my schedule at work so I could be home when my mail came. I even talked to my mailman to let him know there were thieves in the area and he was kind enough to start leaving my mail at my house instead of the mailbox and it was still stolen! My neighbors have had their locking mailboxes broken into also so that doesn't even stop them. Some have video footage from cameras they had installed and have filed police reports but to no avail. If they steal off my porch, will it be my house next? The fact that it's still happening based on the similar posts on this website show it's getting out of control and I'm not the only one that's concerned.

This is an ongoing issue as Johan stated, so for that reason and all the reasons he listed about the neighborhood going downhill we definitely need something.

Your request has been received and has been assigned to the Tukwila Mayor’s Office. We will send you an update when you request has been resolved.

Thank you again for using Tukwila Works to help to make our community a better place by notifying City staff of this issue.

Regards,
City of Tukwila

Someone else just posted another mailbox tampering again on 44th Ave S. The issue reported today was given to Brandon Miles. My issue was given to Brandon Miles also, so I'm told. I haven't heard anything from Mr. Miles and this is still happening.

Sorry about your issue. I wanted to provide a brief update.

First, if you have not already, please contact the United States Postal Service to report mail theft and mail box tampering. Mail theft and mail box tampering is the jurisdiction of the United States Postal Inspector. You can report it by calling 877-876-2455 (press 3) or go to postalinspectors.uspis.gov.

Second, the Tukwila Police Department is aware of the mail theft and mail box tampering issue. If you see suspicious activity, please call 9-1-1 immediately so an officer can be dispatched.

Finally, I will have an update later this week about some additional efforts by the City to address the concerns of mail theft and mail box tampering raised here.

Best Regards,

Brandon Miles, Mayor's Office

Thank you for your reply Mr. Miles. In regards to your suggestions, I have already contacted the postal inspector as I stated in my original post. Also, I will certainly call 911 if I see anything suspicious but I hate to point out the obvious, which is by the time the police get here it will probably be too late.
Unfortunately it feels like your reply is just a standard letter you send out and doesn't seem like much of a solution.

My response was a standard response to the mail theft concern you raised. The fact is mail theft and theft of deliveries is an ongoing problem throughout the Puget Sound region. Tukwila Police Officers, like other law enforcements officers, are always on the lookout for suspicious behavior in neighborhoods, but this theft can happen very fast and the perpetrators can be long gone before police officers can respond.

Unfortunately, the best solution that all police agencies can recommend, is prevention (it looks like you have already taken some of these precautions):

1. Locking mailboxes. The City has a grant program for neighbors to work together to replace their mailboxes with locking mailboxes. Some locking mailboxes have box compartments that can be shared with neighbors. Yes, people can break in to these as well. By these are a proven deterrent. Another idea is to get a PO box, which are inexpensive for the security they provide.
2. Opt in to electronic delivery for bill statements and credit cards.
3. Don’t have packages delivered at home when no one is there. I know this can be an inconvenience, but these are just inviting people to take them. You could have packages delivered to a work place, use an amazon locker, or have the post office hold on to them.
4. Ask a neighbor to receive packages for you or pick them up when they see you are not home.
5. Continue to report mail theft and parcel theft to the US Postal Inspector and the City’s Police Department. Reporting the theft creates a case file and, should mail be found, can be linked with the victim. Also, reporting the incident to the City’s Police Department allows for us to monitor trends to deploy resources or obtain additional resources in an area. Please note that Tukwila Works is not an online crime reporting tool.

Tukwila Police will continue to do what they can, but this is an issue where prevention is the easiest way to address the problem. It is an intractable issue throughout the region and we continue to identify strategies to address the problem. We would be more than open to any ideas you may have. If people are interested in the grant program for locking mailboxes please call me at (206) 431-3684.

As for the more overall arching neighborhood issues raised, the City has invested significantly in its code enforcement division with new officers. If there is a house of concern with trash, overgrown weeds, junk cars, etc. please report them to Code Enforcement. These issues can be reported on Tukwila Works.

Best Regards,

Brandon Miles, Mayor's Office

I am interested in the grant program for the locking mailboxes. I'm sure my neighbors would like to know about it also. I am going to inform them and see how many would like to do that. I believe it would be very helpful. I will contact you as soon as I find out who would like to participate.
Thank you for your help!