Concerns over mail theft and the efficiency of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) took center stage during a recent meeting of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. Lawmakers expressed growing frustration over the increasing number of complaints from constituents regarding lost and stolen mail, particularly in New York, which has been identified as the worst metro area for package theft in the nation.

Representative Goldman highlighted the severity of the issue, noting that his office has handled around 100 cases of lost or stolen mail, including critical documents like passports and green cards. He revealed that New York City alone suffered nearly $945 million in losses due to package theft last year. Goldman urged the USPS to enhance its efforts to combat mail theft, calling for a commitment from the Office of Inspector General to audit his district for better oversight.

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy responded by outlining ongoing initiatives, including "Project Safe Delivery," aimed at addressing mail theft through collaboration with local law enforcement. He acknowledged the challenges posed by outdated security measures and mentioned plans to implement new electronic locks to improve package security.

Despite these efforts, lawmakers expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of current measures, with Goldman emphasizing that the situation appears to be worsening. The committee's discussions underscored the urgent need for the USPS to bolster its resources and strategies to ensure the safety of mail carriers and the integrity of mail delivery, especially as the holiday season approaches.

As the committee continues to scrutinize the USPS, the pressure mounts for the postal service to deliver not just mail, but also confidence to the American public in its ability to safeguard their important documents and packages.