You’ve heard the saying, “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat” can stop the mail couriers from delivering the mail. But in Oakland, you can add graffiti to that list.
Mail carriers are continuing their routes despite many USPS trucks and vans often displaying graffiti that obscures their logos and makes them look unrecognizable as federal government vehicles.
“I think it’s dangerous for the postal workers and the community because you can’t see who’s in here. You don’t know that this is a government vehicle at all,” said Jasmine Bessard, a former Oakland resident who works near the downtown post office and passes the tagged-up vans almost daily.
Bessard expressed concern that people, especially in certain neighborhoods, could mistake the USPS vehicles for those belonging to rival gangs, increasing the risk of violence.
“I’m sure it’s embarrassing for the US Postal workers to have to drive these things around the city,” she added.