SS: People Stealing

**Mommypooh** · 08-24-2005, 07:59 AM

On Monday I put one of our Netflix DVD's in the maibox to return it I took it out about an hour before the mailman was to come because I was going to take a nap with the kids. Well when I took it out there was one of the kids in the unit across from us sitting next to the mailbox and she watched me put it in and then go inside and shut the door.

Forward to about 6 pm..

My mom came over to pick her dog up to take to her new house while we were outside I saw a piece of white paper on the ground and went to pick it up. I looked at it and it was the white envelope that the DVD comes in with the label on it. Well it was Life with Mikey and that was the one that I was returning. So she sbviously got it out of my mailbox and stole it. Well I called the USPS and the postel inspector, and the police. We also did not have any mail in our box that day, so I talked to the mail man and he said that he remembers putting mail in our box, so that means they also stole our mail.

Fast forward to last night...

We put some mail in the box and set up a camara to catch them stealing, well they opened all the boxes looked through all the mail, put all the flags up and just generally played with them.

Fast forward to today...

I called the postle inspector today again and told them that I have video proff of them flipping through the mail and playing with the boxes. they asked me for their address so they could send them a letter of warning.

A LETTER OF WARNING??? What the heck this is a federal offence. I am pissed. I don't care if they are kids. Maybe the parents should acctually pay attention. They have done it with the parents watching them it is rediculous. I think there should be more than that. So we are going to continue to watch them film them and bait them to take the mail out of our box. I want something done about this.

What are your thoughts???

**RIVERWIDOW** · 08-24-2005, 08:05 AM

First I would quit putting stuff in your box to go out. Second I would let the parents know you have proof that their kids did it and you are going to sue in small claims court. Give them a chance to make it good. 3rd let them know you are in contact with the police & USPS. Scare the sh*t out of them. And most important don't let the police or post office drop the ball. Keep on them until they do something.

**Cubsfan** · 08-24-2005, 08:10 AM

And, if you can, get a mailbox with a lock on it.

**Burzhui** · 08-24-2005, 08:31 AM

put a rattle snake in your mailbox

**GracieBayb** · 08-24-2005, 08:51 AM

i hate those kinds of kids. just kick their @sses. no just kidding, you don't need that kind of stress, just give me 10 bucks and i'll kick their bratty butts for you.

**DarkFury** · 08-24-2005, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by Cubsfan

And, if you can, get a mailbox with a lock on it.

If you do that.. then how would the postman get the outgoing mail out of the box?

**Markel** · 08-24-2005, 10:25 AM

It would take some work, but here's what I'd be tempted to do. The next time you get a NetFlix DVD, scan it and print the label on a blank DVD. Then burn this DVD with files that only displays a message: "HELLO, KIDDIES. YOU'VE BEEN CAUGHT STEALING MAIL. THIS IS A FEDERAL OFFENSE. PLEASE EXPLAIN TO YOU PARENTS WHY THE FEDERAL OFFICERS WILL BE VISITING YOUR HOME." Create a phony NetFlix return envelope (maybe change the street address to a relative's house, in case the mailman actually gets to it), and leave it in your mailbox for pickup.

**Thesifer** · 08-24-2005, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by Markel

It would take some work, but here's what I'd be tempted to do. The next time you get a NetFlix DVD, scan it and print the label on a blank DVD. Then burn this DVD with files that only displays a message: "HELLO, KIDDIES. YOU'VE BEEN CAUGHT STEALING MAIL. THIS IS A FEDERAL OFFENSE. PLEASE EXPLAIN TO YOU PARENTS WHY THE FEDERAL OFFICERS WILL BE VISITING YOUR HOME." Create a phony NetFlix return envelope (maybe change the street address to a relative's house, in case the mailman actually gets to it), and leave it in your mailbox for pickup.

Sounds like a lot of work.. for something that probably wont do a bit of good. Kids don't care until they are actually getting in trouble.

**InfiniteNothing** · 08-24-2005, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by DarkFury

If you do that.. then how would the postman get the outgoing mail out of the box?

LOL... mail slot

Originally Posted by Mommypooh

A LETTER OF WARNING??? What the heck this is a federal offence. I am pissed. I don't care if they are kids. Maybe the parents should acctually pay attention. They have done it with the parents watching them it is rediculous. I think there should be more than that. So we are going to continue to watch them film them and bait them to take the mail out of our box. I want something done about this.

What are your thoughts???

If you really want I think it's within your right to contact the police and press charges.

**Grimm** · 08-24-2005, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by InfiniteNothing

If you really want I think it's within your right to contact the police and press charges.

I suspect the police will inform you that mail theft is the jurisdiction of the Postal Inspectors.

I would contact the post office and inform them that I was unsatisfied with their inaction. I would not accept anything less than an arrest and criminal prosicution of the responsible parties, unless the post office was going to make good on the lost DVDs that I was responsible to Netflix for.

**Kevster** · 08-24-2005, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by DarkFury

If you do that.. then how would the postman get the outgoing mail out of the box?

I recently looked at these because we have to add another wall-mounted lockbox for our HOA's general mail. You have to buy a model built to USPS Engineering's specifications. If they do not have a general key already for the box, you will have to talk to your local postmaster about your options.

**kgsilvas** · 08-24-2005, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by Mommypooh

I called the postle inspector today...

Do NOT accept that particular employee's refusal to do their job! You should call the police and also visit your local postmaster to complete Form 2016.

The following is from USPS website - How to Protect Your Mail from Thieves: http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/tipthief.htm

Mail Theft: If you observe a mail thief at work, call the local police immediately, and then your nearest Postal Inspector. If you believe your mail was stolen, report it immediately to your local postmaster or nearest Postal Inspector. You'll be asked to file a formal complaint using PS Form 2016, Mail Theft and Vandalism Complaint. By analyzing information collected from the form, Postal Inspectors may determine whether your problem is isolated or part of a larger mail theft problem in your neighborhood--and it may help Inspectors locate and apprehend the thieves.

Locate Nearest Postal Inspector: http://www.usps.com/ncsc/locators/find-is.html

Secure Mailboxes: Consult with your local postmaster for the most up-to-date regulations on mailboxes, including the availability of locked centralized or curbside mailboxes.

**Mommypooh** · 08-24-2005, 04:49 PM

the Police won't do jack. I already talked to them and they were like that is over our heads that is federal. So they have no control.

I can get a locking mail box but have to have a key to give to my mail man and I have to find one that matches the others in the neighborhood. So it has to be the basic mailbox shape and black. so I don't know what I am going to do.

**kimchicowboy** · 08-24-2005, 05:28 PM

you guys are so nice. i'd be so pissed at the kids, i'd...

**chrissy** · 08-24-2005, 05:49 PM

Have you talked to the parents yet? If I found my kid was doing this, there wouldn't be a butt left for the postmaster to investigate.

Start there and if you find that the parents are stealing your mail too, go back to the post office and do a formal complaint. Calling won't do anything without forms filled out to back you up.

**Burzhui** · 08-24-2005, 09:04 PM

i was serious

**navyones** · 08-24-2005, 09:21 PM

Okay, I am no lawyer; but I was wondering about the possibility of filing a claim in small claims court for the price of the DVDs. You could, at least, recoup the cost of the DVDs. Plus, it you win; it wouldn't cost you a thing. You could also sue for court costs.

**Kevster** · 08-25-2005, 12:01 AM

Originally Posted by Mommypooh

I can get a locking mail box but have to have a key to give to my mail man and I have to find one that matches the others in the neighborhood. So it has to be the basic mailbox shape and black. so I don't know what I am going to do.

Mommypooh, here's a selection I just happened to be looking at this week online at Lowe's:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...BOXES&pad=true

**Mommypooh** · 08-25-2005, 06:21 AM

It must look like this so that is matches the rest of the ones on the street.

I talked to netflix I am not responsible for the cost of it. They were quite amused by this. So I guess I am just going to keep trying to catch them and see if they do it again.

As for the parents they watch the kids play with the mailboxes who knows maybe they have told them to steal certain things so that they can have them, for use. I am sorry the whole family scares me. They all have the nerve to talk constanrtly to me. I don't want to talk to them I don't even want to live near them. But I am stuck for a few years. I hope it is a rentle and they move out soon.

**cheapie** · 08-25-2005, 06:25 AM

have you told the parents yet???

**Mommypooh** · 08-25-2005, 06:29 AM

No in this area they are the type of parents that believe their child is always innocent you can tell by the way they let them run amock and only care about their friends coming over. Plus I am scared to be the one to confront them face to face. WHo knows what reprocussions their could be.

**modena** · 08-25-2005, 07:03 AM

I like the rattlesnake idea. Why not put a note like, I am going to cut your arms and legs off and beat the sh-t out of the rest of you with them, taking turns using your arms then legs, then make to arms. Touch my mail one more time (insert names) and you will suffer. By the way, I have you on film and I have conntacted the police and postal service. Just waiting for the paper work to go through. By the way, they are going to ask you if you want orange or grey jumpsuits in jail, so maybe you should give that some thought for awhile, big decision ya know.

Then like tape it inside your mailbox or something so they will see it.
Then video tape their response/action when they read it and post it here.

**DarkFury** · 08-25-2005, 07:10 AM

Originally Posted by modena

I like the rattlesnake idea. Why not put a note like, I am going to cut your arms and legs off and beat the sh-t out of the rest of you with them, taking turns using your arms then legs, then make to arms. Touch my mail one more time (insert names) and you will suffer. By the way, I have you on film and I have conntacted the police and postal service. Just waiting for the paper work to go through. By the way, they are going to ask you if you want orange or grey jumpsuits in jail, so maybe you should give that some thought for awhile, big decision ya know.

Then like tape it inside your mailbox or something so they will see it.
Then video tape their response/action when they read it and post it here.

Though funny... that note might get her into more trouble than it is worth.

The "hidden camera video" of them doing the crime seems to be the best idea to me. Either that... or start taking your outgoing mail to the post office and the purchase of a P.O. Box for incoming mail.

**Mommypooh** · 08-25-2005, 07:52 AM

I don't think I should have to pay for a P.O. Box when I have a mailbox right in front of my house. If they were to give me one for free sure I would use it, but I just don't have the money for it. I would have to cancel my netflix to pay for it and then that just defeats the purpose. If it happens enough the postle serivce will install the locking mailbox stands but it has to become and epidmeic before they will do that. and the managment company won't pay for it to be done becuase it is a lot of money. I already talked to them about it.

**modena** · 08-25-2005, 08:28 AM

demand they give you a free PO BOX until the situation is resolved. And call the police and postal people several times a day about it. Get on there nerves and get them off their butts. When you see someone actually breaking into you mailbox, call 911. Say you are being robbed.

**InfiniteNothing** · 08-25-2005, 09:12 AM

A google search on "mail theft" brought up this result: http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/tipthief.htm . Seems reasonable. If tipping your postmaster doesn't work or if something doesn't happen... we can all write in (they have a contact us form) asking why the post master is ignoring a proven theft/tampering.