USPS, Postal Inspection service tout success in crackdown on mail crimes

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A wave of mail crimes prompted USPS to take measures to protect packages and its carriers. On Tuesday, the postal service highlighted the success of "Project Safe Delivery" -- an initiative that was launched in 2023. The campaign is a joint effort by the U.S. Postal Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) to crack down on mail-related crimes.

"We are taking aggressive steps to make the delivery of mail packages more secure and more reliable," said Philip Bogenberger, a USPS spokesperson.

Those steps appear to have paid off. During a press conference on Tuesday, April 22, the postal service reported a 27% decrease in letter carrier robberies, as well as 2,400 arrests, since the launch of Project Safe Delivery.

ALL COVERAGE: Mail Mayhem in Central Virginia

"We employed surveillance, we employed camera technology, we did enforcement operations, and we've had a lot of successful arrests," said Michael Romano, a lead U.S. Postal Inspector with the USPIS.

In March and April 2024, two Richmond mail carriers were robbed at gunpoint for their "arrow keys." These are universal keys used to unlock the blue mailboxes in your neighborhoods. 

While both cases are still under investigation, Postal Inspector Michael Romano said USPIS has since taken steps to make those keys less valuable and enhance the security of USPS postal boxes. 

Postal Inspector Michael Romano provides update on progress of Project Safe Delivery.

"We have had mail theft that involved attacks directly to the boxes being ripped open -- so hardening that target, making that box more secure ... I think that has definitely helped with some of our mail theft in this area," Romano said.

Romano added that there have been no mail carrier robberies reported so far in 2025 — a win that he believes is thanks to the success of Project Safe Delivery. 

"Any day our mail carriers can go out and deliver and do that job safely and not be bothered by someone who's trying to take advantage of the system is an absolute great day," he said.

USPS is also reminding the public of precautions they can take to protect their mail, including:

• Remove your mail from your mailbox daily.
• If you're unable to immediately bring your packages inside store them at the post office instead of leaving them at your doorstep.
• Any text message or email claiming that there is an issue with your package delivery is likely an attack. 

To read more about mail issues in Central Virginia, click here.