Durbin says security will be stepped up to protect mail carriers
CHICAGO (CBS) -- U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) on Friday announced the U.S. Postmaster General is stepping up security to protect letter carriers.
Thieves often target carriers for their arrow keys – which they can then use to steal mail. To combat this, the Postal Service plans to replace 49,000 locks, and upgrade to high-security collection boxes.
"Eliminating these keys is one of the ways to reduce the motivation for criminals to target letter carriers," Durbin said.
Last week, the USPS reported 412 letter carriers were robbed on the job in 2022 – many times for arrow keys. There had as of last week already been 305 robberies of mail carriers to date for 2023.
Meanwhile, Durbin also announced he is introducing legislation that would put Postal Service police out on the streets with letter carriers.
This also comes as a 51-year-old Chicago was arrested after police said they caught him stealing from a collection box at Adams Street and Racine Avenue in the West Loop.
Richard Thompson waws using a stolen arrow key, authorities said. He faces federal charges.