California: USPS Suspends Delivery Service in Santa Monica Neighborhood Over Carrier Attacks | Here's What the Residents are Saying

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) suspended its deliveries in a neighborhood in Santa Monica, California on Monday, after several of its mail carriers have been attacked in the area.

According to the New York Post, the California neighborhood affected by the agency's move was the stretch of 14th Street near the Santa Monica Boulevard.

"For the safety of our employees, we have had to temporarily suspend delivery of mail to these customers." USPS Spokesperson Natashi Garvins said.

Garvins added that the move taken by the USPS was unusual. However, the spokesperson pointed out that it was a necessary step to protect their employees.

KTLA 5 reported that parcel owners can pick up their packages at a nearby USPS facility located at 7th Street in Santa Monica, California.

The Post noted that residents from the 14th Street were notified about the agency's measure through a letter that was posted in their mailboxes on April 7.

It was unclear how long the mail delivery suspension will last in the California neighborhood.

USPS Says Multiple Mail Carriers Assaulted in a Neighborhood in Santa Monica, California

In a letter posted in the Santa Monica neighborhood, USPS mentioned that multiple carriers experienced assaults and threats of assault from an individual who has not been apprehended nor located by law enforcement, per KTLA 5.

Garvins mentioned that the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated at least three incidents.

Santa Monica Police claimed that only one incident, dated January 19, was reported to them.

"If there were other incidents of USPS mail carriers being attacked, we were unable to locate additional reports," Sergeant Erika Aklufi from Santa Monica Police told the Post on Monday.

Aklufi added that it will be challenging to find out the extent of the matter without talking directly to the postmaster.

According to the Santa Monica sergeant, the incident they responded involved a man who allegedly attacked a mail carrier with a broomstick.

Newsweek noted that the carrier did not press charges against the man, and the USPS employee received minor care for an arm injury.

Reports also claimed that the attacker was not arrested because the carrier did not file charges.

Aklufi also pointed out that the attacker was known to the officers and the carrier he attacked.

The Santa Monica sergeant also shared that officers who responded at the scene immediately contacted the U.S. Postal Inspection Service on the day of the incident to provide information should they wish to follow up. However, Aklufi said that they do not know if the agency reached out to them after that.

U.S. Postal Inspection Service issued a statement, saying that they are aware of the carrier attack in Santa Monica, California and that investigation into the incidents are underway.

California: Santa Monica Neighborhood Residents on the Delivery Suspension

Several residents of the Santa Monica neighborhood expressed what they feel after the USPS suspended the delivery service due to attacks on their carriers.

Resident Michael Fan shared his annoyance to KTLA 5, claiming that the measure the agency took does not make sense.

"Why do I have to drive to the post office, pay for parking, for mail that should be delivered," Fan pointed out.

Another resident, Teddy Canner, blamed the man who attacked the carrier, claiming that if a gentleman lives a few doors down that is making their neighborhood unsafe, then that individual should be removed.

Meanwhile, resident Courtney Smith felt both compassion for the carriers and the attacker.

"I feel a lot of compassion for the mail carriers... They shouldn't have to deal with that. Likewise, I feel compassion for the people that are instigating these things because who knows what's going on," Smith underscored.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Joshua Summers

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