Mailbox vandalism is not funny, itís a felony

Posted 5/16/01

Mailbox vandalism is not funny, itís a felony

By MaryHelen Swanson

Pop bottle bombs found in mailboxes in the Rush City/Harris area and one in a Rush City yard have the potential to do serious harm, and although no damage or injuries were reported in the rash of bombs reported a week ago, the potential was there.

Placement of such bombs in mailboxes is a federal offense and the crime is a felony.

These ìbombs,î the same kind labeled ìMcGyverî bomb a few years ago, were made of 20 oz. plastic pop bottles, aluminum foil, Draino and possibly a third chemical.
The chemical reaction created inside produces a build up of gases which causes the bottle to explode.

In one of the reported bomb incidents, Rush City Fire Chief Bob Carlson was contacted.

According to a police report, Chief Carlson contacted the Deputy State Fire Marshall who gave him some information about the bombs.

The Deputy Fire Marshall told Chief Carlson that the pop bottle bombs could explode with the power of approximately half a stick of dynamite.

Smashing mail boxes with a baseball bat or other such object is as much a felony as placing objects inside or taking mail.

Inspector Mary Johnson from the U.S. Postal Service said the vandalism tends to get worse as the end of school approaches, slows in the summer, and starts back up in the fall when school starts.

Mailboxes that are out of sight of the home, at the end of long driveways and in rural areas are popular targets, she said.

Residents experiencing mailbox vandalism, Johnson said, should contact their local law enforcement.

Information provided by Postal Inspector Johnson notes that mailboxes are considered federal property and protected under federal law (Title 18, United States Code, Section 1705).

Violators can be fined up to $250,000 or imprisoned for up to three years for each act of vandalism.

There are things residents can do to protect themselves from mailbox vandalism:

ï Immediately report theft, tampering with or destruction of mail and mailboxes to your local postmaster. You will be asked to complete PS Form 1510, Mail Loss and Rifling Report, or PS Form 2016, Mail Theft and Vandalism Complaint. These forms help the Postal Inspection Service determine whether your problem is isolated or one frequently experienced in your neighborhood.

ï Remove your mail from your mailbox as soon as possible after delivery. Allowing mail to pile up only tempts would-be vandals and thieves. If you canít pick up your mail right after delivery, you might consider renting a post office box, especially if you have been experiencing problems with mailbox vandalism or mail theft.

ï Obtain Label 33 from the Postal Inspection Service. This sticker, which warns that willful damage to mail boxes and theft of mail is a crime, can be affixed to your mailbox.

ï If you discover someone tampering with your or your neighborís mailbox, get a description of the person, the vehicle, including the license plate number, if possible. Immediately report the information to your local police and postmaster.

Any information you may have about mailbox vandalism in your area should be reported to the Postal Inspection Service.

Your cooperation helps apprehend violators.
Early this week, Deputy Scott Berg, who works out of the Rush City office, said they have possible suspects in the pop bottle bomb incidents and the investigation is continuing.