The. common master lock on the group mailboxes is the property of and the responsibility of the Post Office, not the residents. This is the weak link in the system and it would be a Herculean task to change all of them. Beware!

Could you maybe possibly interview some local "leaders" from the PA Police Department, City Council and City Manager about their plans -- if any -- to increase police patrols for this if not for traffic enforcement?

You can have an off the record discussion with a PA PD officer or detective and they can tell you exactly where these bad guys are coming from. They are the same people that come to Palo Alto, Los Altos, Menlo Park to rob homes, people, cars, stores, mail, etc. The SCC DA Rosen and San Mateo County DA Wagstaffe do not send these criminals to prison so they keep doing what they do best.

Several years ago, we stopped all financial mailings to our home. When there are homes on your block undergoing a remodel, the workers track your schedule and advise their colleagues as to the best time to rob your home or steal your mail. This has been a booming business in Palo Alto for the home security companies, PA PD Alarm Services, security camera companies, etc.

We have noticed that for this Christmas season, half of our Christmas cards are arriving opened. No idea who is doing this but the bad guys are busy.

Yes neighboorhood watch! Let's all watch and pay attention to what is happening in our neighborhood. Be friendly with each other, we may need them someday or they made need us someday to help out.

I tried signing up for Informed Delivery and was "informed" that it was not available in my area. No reason given.

My HOA was the target of mail theft for awhile, but I think some mail thieves were caught, plus we got Anna Eshoo's office to work with USPS to switch the master lock on the back of of our mailbox blocks to the new key. No problems since then. But, I suspect the armed robbers are going after the new AND old keys now.

My partner says the Republican partisan Louis DeJoy has reduced funding for the U.S. Postal Inspection service mentioned above, and that's one reason we have more mail theft, but I have not verified this independently.

The Cancel the Police movement left Palo Alto understaffed with police. With only 80% manpower Police have to cut some services and covering these minor crimes is one consequence. Not sure what to do as voters seem to want less police and criminals are smart and figure it out?

It is terrible that mail carriers feel so unsafe due to these attacks. The town needs more police, and soon. Sadly, I rarely see any police cars on the roads. Not a good feeling.

I wonder if some clever technology or mechanically inclined person could figure a way to make a cage that would trap anyone touching the mailboxes, who didn't have a code; and all the residents and the postal carrier would have that code but the thief wouldn't... be really nice to CATCH them. Also wonder if despite their carrying weapons, being confronted by a whole bunch of residents at once and being told police were on their way and if they shoot anyone their jail time increases MANY fold...
I'm just brainstorming. It takes a village, and as someone said, we all need to watch out for each other. My heart goes out to the mail carriers!