The US Postal Service (USPS) Blue Box has been a staple in many neighborhoods for decades, allowing residents to send and receive mail and packages with ease. The Blue Box has undergone some changes in recent years.
The USPS has been updating and modernizing its Blue Box program to meet the growing demand for package delivery. In 2020, the USPS began installing new Blue Boxes with enhanced features, including touchless payment and package tracking.
The new Blue Boxes are designed to be more efficient and convenient for customers. They allow for easy payment and tracking of packages, making it simpler to send and receive mail.
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USPS Blue Box Updates
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has made significant changes to its blue collection boxes as part of a nationwide security crackdown.
Tens of thousands of high-security blue collection boxes and electronic locking mechanisms have been installed in "high postal crime areas" in every state.
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USPS started its widescale upgrade of mail collection boxes in May 2023 amid rising crime involving letter carriers and mail theft.
Since the start of October, the Postal Inspection Service reports 73% more arrests for letter carrier robberies over the same period the previous year.
The changes are part of the Project Safe Delivery campaign launched this summer to crack down on postal crimes, including attacks on postal employees and mail theft.
USPS is also replacing old "arrow" locks with 49,000 electronic versions, which are less vulnerable to theft.
To protect your mail, USPS recommends removing mail from your mailbox every day, depositing outgoing mail at secure locations, and signing up for Informed Delivery.
Here are some additional tips from USPS:
- Deposit outgoing mail at secure locations, including inside the local Post Office or at your place of business, or hand it directly to a letter carrier.
- Sign up for Informed Delivery and get daily digest emails that preview your mail and packages scheduled to arrive soon.
- Keep an eye out for your letter carrier. If you see something that looks suspicious, or you see someone following your carrier, call 911.
Your Post Office's Collection Box May Be Going Away
The traditional blue drop-off box at your local post office may soon be changing. The U.S. Postal Service is installing 10,000 new high-security blue collection boxes in high-security risk areas.
These new boxes are designed to be more secure, but in some areas, the blue collection box may be going away entirely. This is because USPS is evaluating where other enhanced security boxes should go and may remove collection boxes in areas where mail density is very low.
USPS is also replacing old locks with electronic versions to prevent mail theft. More than 6,500 old locks have been replaced, and 42,500 more are planned for installation in coming months.
The changes are part of the Project Safe Delivery campaign to crack down on postal crimes, including attacks on postal employees and mail theft.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to use USPS collection box?
While USPS collection boxes are convenient, the USPS has issued a warning that they may not be the safest option for mail collection. Use with caution and consider alternative options for mailing your packages.
How often does the USPS collect from collection boxes?
USPS collects from collection boxes once per business day. This daily collection starts the mailing and delivery process for outgoing mail and small packages.
Sources
- https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/iconic-blue-mail-collection-boxes-are-getting-high-tech-makeover-rcna130250
- https://www.al.com/news/2024/03/changes-have-been-made-to-blue-mail-collection-boxes-post-office-says.html
- https://www.al.com/news/2023/10/your-post-offices-blue-collection-box-may-be-going-away-heres-why.html
- https://www.usps.com/manage/po-boxes.htm
- https://www.ttnews.com/articles/usps-security-mailboxes
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