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Postal News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2002
Contact: (202) 268-2155
Release No. 02-092
Clearing Access To The Mailbox Avoids Delays
WASHINGTON, DC — "Neither rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds," explained Vice President, Delivery, Henry Pankey, referring to the postal tribute chiseled in stone at the New York City Post office and the Smithsonian's Postal Museum, former home of the Washington, DC post office. "However, unsafe conditions such as unshoveled snow, icy sidewalks, or even snow plowed against mailboxes can slow or delay delivery."
"Our employees' take their jobs seriously and take pride in reporting to work — regardless of conditions," he said, "but if access to the mailbox is blocked by snow or ice, we remind them that safety is paramount to delivering the mail."
Postal letter carriers are instructed to refrain from delivering to locations they deem hazardous, and the Postal Service is reminding customers to keep access to the mailbox clear.
"Our carriers are already battling freezing temperatures, arctic wind-chills, and deep snow drifts in many part of the nation," he explained. "We urge customers to do the right thing, not just for our letter carriers, but for everyone."
Pankey said customers who receive door delivery should make sure their sidewalks and steps are clear. Customers receiving curbside delivery should pay special attention to keeping mailboxes clear of snow piles left by snow plows.
"Having our letter carriers return to the post office with undelivered mail ends up delaying those important letters and packages our customers are anticipating."
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