Residents of Oahu, Hawaii, are experiencing the removal of blue USPS (United States Postal Service) mailboxes, many of them without prior notice. These removals are part of a USPS campaign to combat postal crimes and attacks on postal workers. It has been considered to remove those blue boxes with lower shipping volumes and also those that are more frequently vandalized. These removals are happening not only in Hawaii, but last Tuesday Hawaii News reported that several had been taken from the streets of Hawaii, and that residents had not been notified.
According to the information, removal notices appeared on boxes in Foster Village, Mapunapuna, and Kapahulu. Residents have actively expressed opposition to this measure, which has allowed them to keep a box that was scheduled for removal. USPS spokesman John Hyatt explained that these changes are due not only to security measures but also to the changing habits of mailbox usage by users.
The United States Postal Service (USPS)
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is the independent federal agency of the United States responsible for managing the national postal service, which includes the sending and distribution of mail and packages both domestically and internationally. Among the services it offers are regular mail, certified mail, express mail, packages, even processing passport applications, and shipping cremated remains under certain conditions. Additionally, it also provides shipping solutions for businesses, printing and marketing services, and offers tools such as Package Intercept to redirect packages. Since it began operating in 1775, it has done so continuously.
USPS blue collection boxes
The blue collection boxes are one of the most representative symbols of the USPS in the United States. There are more than 124,000 currently in operation, but that number is decreasing. Although two years ago, USPS officials announced the installation of more than 10,000 high-security blue boxes across the country, some of them have been removed. Despite the initial initiative aiming to curb postal crimes and attacks on Postal Service employees, the truth is that thieves have not been deterred, which has led to the decision to remove some of these boxes.
Removals in Hawaii
Last Tuesday, Hawaii News reported on the expansion of removals on certain streets in Hawaii. The uproar arose because Oahu residents were not informed; they only realized it when they went to send their mail. According to the broadcaster, “Removal notices have appeared on boxes in Foster Village, Mapunapuna, and Kapahulu.” Neighbors were quick to show their displeasure and even complained to USPS, managing to save one of these boxes, which was scheduled for removal. Social media was flooded with comments from residents expressing their dissatisfaction with this new measure:
“Where am I going to put my ballot in the next election?”.
“There should be more mail drop-off/pick-up locations in malls and shopping centers” .
“If you’re gonna do errands, might as well drop off your mail at the same location”.
What does UPSS say?
One of their spokespeople, John Hyatt, explained, “The drastic change in Americans’ mail shipping habits has altered the need for blue collection boxes. Removing boxes with consistently very low volumes is simply good for the environment and good business practice.” For his part, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said in 2023 that, “As our nation continues to address a sustained wave of crime, our specific focus on cracking down on postal crime is progressing.”