The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is facing a mail theft crisis of historic proportions. In response, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) rolled out Project Safe Delivery in 2023 — touting it as the centerpiece of its crime-prevention strategy. Promoted in press releases and even spotlighted on USPS’s own Mailin’ It! podcast, officials boast of 16 surge operations in 10 cities, 600 stand-up talks, upgraded locks, higher rewards, and 2,700 arrests for mail-theft related crimes.
At first glance, it sounds like progress. But look closer, and Project Safe Delivery collapses into a case study in inefficiency, misplaced priorities, and missed opportunities.
