Editor, The News:
You are looking at a photo of my recently broken-into community mailbox as supplied by Canada Post.
I live in a new townhouse complex in east Maple Ridge and instead of providing the next generation a more secure system, Canada Post, in its infinite wisdom, decided to issue us the older models.
They were broken into one week after being installed.
Less than a year later, they are still being broken into, and now Canada Post is finally offering more secure boxes in the New Year.
The same day I noticed this most recent break-in, I received a package from Canada Post. I heard it being dropped on my front doormat and the bell was rung, but by the time I answered the door there was no one to be seen – still, my Expedited Parcel was left in plain sight of all passers-by (including mail thieves), and there seemed to be little care as to whether someone was home to receive it safely.
Then there was the notice I received in the mail about three weeks ago, informing me of a change in my service. It had my address, but with different names.
After calling Canada Post and discovering that even it couldn’t tell me exactly whether my mail was being redirected or I would be receiving someone else’s correspondence, the clerk promised to bring this matter to the attention of her supervisor, who would clear it up and phone me the next day.
I am still waiting for that phone call.
Then I went to the main post office to retrieve my mail and was told that it couldn’t be found, and staff there had no idea when my mail service would be restored (there is no notice on the community mailbox).
The problem with Canada Post is that there is absolutely no incentive to keep our mail safe, as it is already paid in advance for its services, regardless of how poor they are.
Maybe if Canada Post was required to refund the postage on all lost, stolen or damaged mail (let alone all the monies absconded in mail fraud) – maybe then, security would become a priority.
In the meantime, just remember your mail is not safe in Maple Ridge.
Michael Lascelle
Maple Ridge