Constitution Journal Safety Brief By D. Uchenna
A disturbing trend has emerged where handwritten letters, often appearing harmless, are being laced with dangerous substances, including illicit drugs. In some reported cases, individuals have become ill simply by handling or smelling mail that was tampered with. While rare, this threat is real. Several communities have already experienced harm due to these tactics. Criminals are using fake notes, sometimes left without postage inside personal mailboxes, to attempt direct contact, manipulate, or worse—endanger lives.
Your Mailbox is Federal Property—Keep it Secure Federal law protects your mailbox and restricts access to the U.S. Postal Service and the designated resident. According to:
18 U.S. Code § 1705 – Destruction of letter boxes or mail
“Whoever willfully or maliciously injures, tears down or destroys any letter box or other receptacle intended or used for the receipt or delivery of mail… or breaks open the same, shall be fined and imprisoned not more than three years.”
Placing non-postmarked items such as flyers, sales notes, or unauthorized letters inside a mailbox is also illegal.
Warning for All Non-Authorized Individuals Below is a printable warning card you can place inside the lid of your mailbox:
STOP – WARNING: MAILBOX ACCESS IS RESTRICTED BY FEDERAL LAW
This mailbox is private property. Only the USPS or the lawful resident may open or place items inside.
- Federal law (18 U.S. Code § 1705) prohibits unauthorized access.
- No Amazon, UPS, FedEx, delivery drivers, salespeople, or solicitors.
- No flyers, notes, or messages may be left here unless officially mailed.
Violators will be reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and local law enforcement.
DO NOT PLACE ANYTHING INSIDE THIS MAILBOX UNLESS YOU ARE USPS OR THE RESIDENT.
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper…” – Isaiah 54:17
Additional Precautions for Your Safety
- Install a real or dummy security camera overlooking your mailbox area. Criminals are less likely to approach if they see a lens pointing their way.
- Consider a motion-activated light or a decoy mailbox camera.
- Report suspicious vehicles or masked individuals. If they approach on foot from a distant location, their risk of being seen or caught increases. Don’t ignore strange behavior.
- For apartment complexes – Install security cameras behind mailboxes where faces and behavior can be documented without violating privacy from the public-facing side.
This issue will only improve when awareness grows and wrongdoers are held accountable. Until then, each of us must take responsible steps to protect ourselves, our mail, and our communities.
Stay safe, stay alert.
Written by D. Uchenna for Constitution Journal In service of public safety and lawful peace.
