BONNYVILLE – The impact of a string of mailbox thefts in the Town of Bonnyville may have a greater effect for residents whose boxes were targeted by culprit(s) overnight Dec. 15 and Dec. 20.
The damage to three Canada Post mailboxes was so significant that the infrastructure will have to be replaced rather than repaired.
RELATED STORY: String of mailbox thefts occurred in Bonnyville
Until the mailboxes are replaced, affected residents will have to collect their mail from the town's main post office on the corner of 49 St. and 51 Ave. Valid government-issued photo identification with the corresponding address will be required to collect mail.
Staff at the local post office told affected residents that they may be collecting their mail from the post office until spring or summer when the ground thaws and the mailboxes can be expected to be replaced.
However, an official statement from Canada Post's Public Relations Department to Lakeland This Week said, “Replacement of the vandalized mailboxes to the newer model is underway and regular mail service should resume in the next two weeks.”
Once new mailbox units have been installed customers will receive a letter with new keys and instructions.
Canada Post confirmed that it was aware of the recent “vandalism incidents.”
Phil Legault, a media relations representative with Canada Post, told Lakeland This Week, “Our security and investigations and operations teams are aware of these incidents and the local RCMP detachment is currently investigating.”
As the investigation into this string of incidents remains ongoing, Canada Post says it would be “inappropriate to comment further or provide details.”
“We take these matters and the security of the mail very seriously,” Legault continued. “We thank our customers for their patience while we work to resume regular mail delivery at their community mailbox site.”
Customers who believe they have not received a parcel should contact Canada Post’s Customer Service so that the mail service can look into it and potentially work with the sender, who may initiate a claim with Canada Post, noted Legault.
If customers believe they have not received a specific piece of lettermail, they should also contact the sender.
Responding to why mailbox units in the region have not been upgraded to more secure units despite ongoing mail thefts incidences in the Town of Bonnyville, Fort Kent, Ardmore as well as other communities, Legault stated, “Our delivery services team monitors their condition across the country annually for replacement as they near the criteria for a lifecycle change. We also get feedback from our delivery employees who visit these community mailbox sites daily on needed repairs or replacement.”
Tips reduce mail theft and its impact
Canada Post provided some tips on how customers can take control of their mail delivery, be it at their door, a community mailbox, rural mailbox, or building mailbox panels.
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Collect your mail daily.
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If you plan to be away, use Canada Post’s Hold Mail service to suspend delivery until you return.
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Use Canada Post’s FlexDelivery service, which allows consumers to have their purchase delivered directly to any post office of their choice.
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Track items online or on the Canada Post mobile app. Canada Post’s tracking technology provides customers with better information as they track their packages’ progress, so they know when to expect their parcel to be delivered.
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Canada Post suggests to consumers that when ordering online they should make sure to read the retailer’s shipping details and choose the best option that works for them.
Anyone who sees an act of vandalism to Canada Post equipment should contact local police and Canada Post’s Customer Service team online at canadapost.ca/support or by telephone at 1-866-607-6301 (TTY: 1-800-267-2797).
