SANTEE, Calif. — USPS collection boxes at a Santee post office are capturing attention on social media.
Workers at the post office, located on 9518 Mission Gorge Road, just installed the bright red locks Saturday.
The boxes are unlocked in the morning and locked at night. However there is a slot for mail on the back that is accessible even when the boxes are locked.
According to Postal Inspector Patricia Mendoza, the locks were installed to prevent theft.
Here's the statement released to CBS 8:
Please let the viewers know the U.S. Postal Inspection Service works closely with the US Postal Service to ensure the safety and security of the mail to prevent mail theft.
If anyone feels that they are a victim of a crime involving the mail, they may submit a report online, by visiting https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov or by calling (877) 876-2455.
If anyone witnesses a mail thief, please have them call police immediately, then report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at (877) 876-2455 (say “Theft”). If anyone notices suspicious activity surrounding a collection box or damage on a mail receptacle, please contact the local Post Office to report it, and notify Postal Inspectors.
"It's just sad if they're having some kind of theft," said Debbie Hoffman, a Fletcher Hills resident.
This is not the only location where postal workers have installed locks. Post offices in other cities across the country have done the same.
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