LAWMAKERS are cracking down on a key mail issue with a new USPS law that threatens violators with $2,500 fines and even jail time.
USPS customers should handle letters and packages carefully, or they could have both state and federal prosecutors coming for them.
The new law is coming into effect on July 1, and it will affect everyone who lives in Virginia.
Under the new legislation, it’s considered a state felony if you steal or tamper with mail sent through the USPS.
This is already considered a felony on the federal level, so the new law gives law enforcement an extra layer of punishment for criminals.
Senator Saddam Salim, a Democrat involved in drafting the law, mentioned to CBS affiliate WTVR that the aim was to align it with the federal law to provide prosecutors with an additional legal option.
The law came after a spate of mail thefts that plagued Virginians and left them missing bills or without essential Social Security checks.
In March, four people were arrested for running a “mail theft and bank fraud ring” where they yanked keys from mailmen and plundered boxes.
The confrontations became so heated that one of the criminals was shot by a mail inspector after one of the thieves tried to mow him down with a car.
Lawmakers say they’ve been fighting for elderly constituents who rely on physical mail daily.
“When you have grandma or whoever, they still receive Social Security checks and other information via mail,” said Salim.
“And if that goes missing, they have to call into those offices get it reissued. That takes a lot of time.”
By granting state prosecutors the authority to implement this law, Salim anticipates that it will relieve federal attorneys who may not have the resources to handle such cases.
He also noted that now, any person who steals important documents will be punished based on how much the information is worth.
Previously, prosecutors could only charge based on the value of the physical papers.
Taking a package from the porch isn’t the only way that people can get dinged under the crackdown.
Lawmakers warned that anyone who damages a mailbox can also be prosecuted under the new guidelines.
Four changes needed at USPS
In a letter addressed to Congress in March, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy urgently highlighted four significant hurdles that the US Postal Service needs to address.
- Retail Leases: DeJoy asked for help reviewing nearly 31,000 retail centers and the challenges of renewing leases due to ownership consolidation, urban development, and rising rental rates as long-term leases expire.
- Counterfeit Postage Crackdown: DeJoy highlighted USPS is combating an estimated $1 billion issue with counterfeit postage and called for “additional innovative solutions” to tackle the problem.
- Federal Law: DeJoy stated unfunded congressional mandates imposed by legislation are costing USPS between $6 billion and $11 billion annually.
- Regulations: DeJoy criticized “burdensome regulatory requirements” that limit USPS’s ability to operate normally, estimating that the Postal Regulatory Commission has caused over $50 billion in damage with defective pricing models.
Source: AXIOS
USPS UPDATES
USPS experienced a recent shakeup as a new postmaster general was appointed.
David Steiner, who was previously a FedEx board member, is now leading the agency, and he said he was excited to take the helm.
“I am excited by the challenges ahead and by the many opportunities to shape a vibrant, durable, and increasingly competitive future for the Postal Service,” he said after accepting the job.
Meanwhile, the USPS recently warned of price changes and closures under an incoming overhaul.
And the service warned of a “washed” check scam that’s plaguing customers.
