A few weeks back, in January 2020, a US postal worker was robbed by a man wearing a hoodie and red bandanna, leaving him blacked out. When asked about the whole incident, the mailman told the police that a man came up from behind and pistol-whipped him, knocking him to the ground. The suspect then robbed him, stealing his mailbag and everything he had in his pockets.
Cases like this aren’t uncommon and happen now and then to postal workers plus TV and digital media are barraged with news that stresses the importance of postal workers’ safety. This is why we thought of sharing some safety tips that US postal workers should keep in mind. Let’s look at them:
Avoid becoming a target
The safest course of action to avoid attracting robbers is to keep a special note of things that may catch attention. One of the things that easily makes you a potential target for robbers is displaying mobile phones and other electronic devices while on-duty. Women should avoid wearing expensive jewelry and reduce the amount of cash they carry. Besides, they should wear proper postal letter carrier uniforms.
Stay alert
Today, many post workers wear headphones to enjoy music while on their route. However, it keeps them unaware of what’s happening around them, which often leads to robbery. It’s advisable to stay alert while on the job.
Be aware
If you have reasons to believe that you are followed by someone while on the job, immediately seek police help or leave the area or contact your postmaster.
Stay cautious
Criminals often use identity theft to transport illegal items by post. If you are delivering mails to vacant properties or individuals who are not associated with the given address, inform the local police.
Never leave mail and packages in plain view
When delivering, keep all the mails and packages as well as personal property out of plain sight inside your vehicle.
Secure your vehicles
Whenever you head out to deliver mail, never leave your postal vehicle running or unattended. Lock it to avoid robbery.
Final Note
As the cases of postal robbery in the US are on the rise, postal workers, especially letter carriers, should pay special attention to their safety and strictly follow safety rules to avoid becoming a target of robbers. Also, it’s recommended to wear only an official letter carrier USPS uniform.
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