QUESTIONS are finally being answered regarding the significant weeks-long delay of packages from the United States Postal Service.
Two weeks ago, Indiana lawmakers sought explanations from the USPS after numerous citizens reported not getting packages despite notifications indicating they were at the USPS facility.
In a bipartisan letter written to the Postmaster General, politicians asked for the federal agency to take accountability for the missing packages.
“The U.S. Postal Service is our responsibility, and the service has not been delivering,” Congressman Jefferson Shreve told local ABC affiliate WRTV.
“It’s got nothing to do with politics, it’s got everything to do about taking care of the taxpayer.”
Footage circulating on social media depicted the Indiana postal facility congested with packages in bins, leaving patrons wondering if their awaited items were among them.
Senator Todd Young also weighed in on the issue as his office continued to field complaints from citizens about missing mail.
‘I’ve received feedback from numerous Hoosiers concerning delays in mail and package deliveries, specifically those associated with the Indianapolis distribution center,’ Young conveyed to WRTV.
“We’re pressing for answers on why these problems are occurring.
“Hoosiers deserve reliable access to these essential services and if problems exist, the Postal Service should provide a plan to address any issues and reduce delays.”
After multiple attempts to contact the USPS, WRTV was told that weather conditions caused the package delays, but politicians are hearing a different story.
“The preliminary response has been related to the transition to this new facility on Brookville Road,” Shreve said.
“It’s not weather-related. It is related to the transition from a smaller, older facility to this much larger facility.”
Small business owners, in particular, were hit the hardest by the massive delays.
One Indiana small business shipped around 250 packages out following Black Friday orders; two weeks later those items were still at the USPS facility.
“If we could drive to the facility, pick all those packages up and do something with them, we would,” Graham Brown, co-owner of United State of Indiana told local NBC affiliate WTHR in December.
“But that is obviously not possible.”
This month, the USPS confirmed Shreve’s claims about the impact of transitioning facilities on deliveries.
Avoiding mail theft
To prevent mail theft, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) recommends residents take several precautions.
- First, avoid letting mail sit in your mailbox—inspect it daily and remove it promptly.
- For package deliveries, track shipments on the USPS website and sign up for email or text alerts to stay informed.
- If you’re not home when your mail is scheduled to arrive, consider asking a trusted neighbor to pick it up for you.
- For longer absences, you can have your mail held at the Post Office by requesting this service online.
- If valuable mail such as checks doesn’t arrive, immediately reach out to the issuing agency.
- It’s also crucial to update your address with the Post Office and any businesses you regularly correspond with to avoid potential issues.
- Lastly, for outgoing mail, it’s safer to hand it directly to your letter carrier or deposit it inside your local Post Office for added security.
Source: U.S. Postal Inspector
“The Postal Service is working around the clock to address recent service delays in the Greater Indianapolis area,” a spokesperson told WRTV.
“As background, the Postal Service recently opened a new Regional Processing & Distribution Center in Indianapolis and restructured its operations.
“During this transition period, weather impacts throughout the Midwest also contributed to service delays. Additionally, facility transitions were completed two weeks ago, and postal officials are working to ramp up operations following the change.”
The USPS apologized for any inconvenience and asked customers to visit the service alerts page for updates.
The U.S. Sun reached out to the USPS for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
