Lawmakers examine USPS safety, reliability issues at Philly hearing

Even amid a rise in mail theft and robberies targeting postal carriers, the U.S. Postal Service has decimated its internal police force and restricted their patrolling abilities, according to a law enforcement union leader.

That was among the main takeaways from a Congressional hearing held Wednesday at Temple University to examine the struggles facing the postal service — troubles that include stolen checks, delivery delays and post offices without accessible entrances.

Lawmakers indicated they may take information from the meeting to craft legislation in the coming months.

Representatives from the Philadelphia region, all of whom participated in the hearing, said they hear from residents about mail delivery issues on a near-constant basis.