Rep. Ami Bera Requests Audit to Crack Down on Cluster Mailbox Theft and Vandalism in the Sacramento Region

Today, U.S. Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) sent a letter to the Inspector General of the United States Postal Service (USPS) to formally request an audit of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the USPS concerning the implementation and effectiveness of the Project Safe Delivery joint initiative in the Sacramento region, as well as the response to cluster mailbox unit (CBU) theft and vandalism in the area.

The letter reads in part:

"I understand that one of Project Safe Delivery's core aims is to enhance the security and reliability of mail delivery. Many of my constituents have been victims of both mail theft, including stolen high-value items such as passports, checks, and essential medication, and vandalized and inoperable CBUs."

Representative Bera continued:

"Earlier this year, I hosted a virtual town hall for residents in the Sacramento region with USPIS and USPS to discuss appropriate reporting processes involved and the ways in which both USPIS and USPS are attempting to remedy the theft and vandalism problems. Despite our collaborative efforts with USPIS and USPS to address these issues, residents in the Sacramento region continue to be victimized by mail theft and vandalism. As a result, I am requesting an audit of Project Safe Delivery to measure if it is meeting its core aims of enhancing security and reliability of mail delivery and to help those in the Sacramento region move towards curing the rampant mail theft and CBU vandalism they are experiencing."

Representative Bera requests that the audit addresses the below items:

• The frequency and nature of CBU theft incidents reported in the Sacramento area over the past year.
• Steps taken by USPIS and USPS to address and prevent these thefts.
• The effectiveness of these measures and Project Safe Delivery in reducing the occurrence of such thefts.
• Collaboration with local law enforcement agencies to tackle these issues.
• Provide insights and recommendations to ensure that our postal system operates securely and efficiently.

Representative Bera requests a response from the Office of the Inspector General outlining the expected timeline to complete this audit by August 25, 2024.