This report presents the results of our audit of Mail Theft Mitigation and Response at the Beechnut, Debora Sue Schatz, and T W House Stations in Houston, TX (Project Number 25-023). The stations are in Texas 2 District of the Retail and Delivery Operations, Southern Area. Our objective was to assess the U.S. Postal Service’s actions taken to mitigate and respond to mail theft in Houston, TX. This is one of a series of mail theft audits across the Postal Service.
The Postal Service’s mission is to provide the nation with trusted, safe, and secure mail services, including the more than 438.5 million pieces of mail processed in Houston, TX, in fiscal year (FY) 2024. Unfortunately, mail theft occurs in various ways. Individuals use stolen universal keys — called arrow keys — to access collection boxes, outdoor parcel lockers, cluster box units (CBU), and apartment panels. Mail theft can also occur by individuals fishing or breaking into collection boxes with force, residential mailbox break-ins, package theft, and carrier robberies. It is imperative for the Postal Service to address mail theft issues to protect the Postal Service and earn the public’s trust.
Concerns about how the Postal Service prevents and responds to mail theft frequently appear in the media, and they have been a topic for congressional hearings and inquiries sent to the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG). News articles have also highlighted theft in the Houston area from blue collection boxes and cluster box units, which included customers’ identity documents and checks.