South OC Times

U.S. Representatives Young Kim (CA-40) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) have introduced the Maximizing Agency Integration on Letter Theft (MAIL Theft) Act (H.R. 8596) to address the nationwide increase in mail theft by enhancing federal agency coordination and prioritizing the issue for federal law enforcement.

According to USPS and USPIS, arrests for robbing letter carriers have increased by 73 percent as of March 12. Between 2019 and 2022, letter carrier robberies surged sixfold, and high-volume mailbox theft rose by 87 percent.

The MAIL Theft Act mandates federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), to collaborate with state and local law enforcement to better protect communities from postal theft. The legislation aims to develop a coordinated federal approach to targeting mail theft across neighborhoods nationwide.

“Americans shouldn’t have to worry whether they’ll get their mail safely and on time. Unfortunately, rising mail theft crimes have left communities in danger and postal workers concerned for their safety on the job,” said Rep. Young Kim. “The MAIL Theft Act allows for increased information sharing and coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to combat rising mail theft, hold these criminals accountable, and protect the integrity of our postal system. I’m glad to work with Rep. Panetta on this commonsense, bipartisan bill that boosts public safety in our California communities and across the nation.”

“My constituents in California’s 19th Congressional District and communities around the country have been repeatedly victimized by coordinated, repeated mass mail theft,” said Rep. Jimmy Panetta. “Our bipartisan MAIL Theft Act would ensure federal agencies are backing up our local enforcement with a coordinated federal response to this latest wave of crime. Our postal service is one of our country’s oldest and proudest traditions, and Americans deserve peace of mind in knowing that this system is safe and reliable.”

“Key to addressing organized crimes like postal theft is coordination amongst federal, state, and local law enforcement. This legislation will help ensure the relevant federal agencies work with law enforcement to address a crime that continues to impact communities throughout our country,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes.