Mail thefts rampant on Key Peninsula

Steve Whitford

Between the evening of Dec.13 and the evening of Dec. 15, thieves broke up and burglarized the outside mailboxes at the Lakebay Post Office and the box by Capitol Lumber in Key Center.

The boxes were damaged and an unknown quantity of mail was taken.

In recent years, outside mailboxes at the Vaughn and Wauna post offices have been vandalized as well.

In Lakebay, steps have been taken to prevent a recurrence––trees and shrubs have been removed for better visibility. “The outside boxes in Lakebay and Key Center will not be replaced, as the costs of the thefts come out of our pockets,”said Adam Wade, postmaster.

Wade recommended that postal patrons pick up their mail each day to avoid future thefts.

If you believe some of your mail was stolen, you can report it at postalinspectors.uspis.gov or complete and submit PS form 2016 available at any post office.