Northeast King County has been experiencing an increase in mail thefts, with 68 reports in a recent 14 week period. The reasons behind this uptick are unclear. Detectives have arrested several suspects, but mail boxes continue to be an easy target of opportunity for thieves. The suspects are looking for mail that contains items they can turn around quickly; such as gift cards and/or cash. If they find checks they’re washing them, making them out to themselves and changing the amounts.

While the thefts happen at all hours of the day, most occur during two different time periods, noon to 2 PM and midnight to 2 AM. The suspects target traditional mailboxes, yet they aren’t deterred by locking ones either. They will pry open locked boxes and have even gone so far as to use a torch on the hinges on a bank of mailboxes like those found in many housing developments.

To protect yourself from these thefts, make it a habit to collect your mail every day. Don’t ever leave your mail in the box overnight. Also, consider buying a locking mailbox. If you’re going on vacation either arrange for a neighbor to collect your mail or ask the post office to hold your mail until you return. When sending mail, don’t place it out for your mail carrier; drop it off at the post office. Remember, that red flag is a notice to everyone that there is mail in the box.

Most importantly, citizens know best what is suspicious activity in their neighborhood. They are urged to call police if they see someone spending time at or near mailboxes or following a mail carrier. Several arrests of mail thieves have happened because citizens called about something they saw that just didn’t seem right.