Let’s Take A Swing

At Mailbox Vandalism

To the Editor:

A residential mailbox is technically the property of the United States Postal Service. Did you know that intentionally vandalizing or causing damage to a mailbox is a felony offense punishable by fines of up to $250,000 and/or up to three years in jail?

I have seen evidence of the destruction of mail boxes all over Newtown, including at the end of my own driveway...many times. It is a continuing crime that is going unpunished. Why don’t we put a stop to it? Why should we spend our precious time and dwindling dollars repairing and replacing property damaged and stolen by criminals? This is so widespread a lot of people have to know who is doing it.

Let’s build a profile of the typical person that might be bashing and stealing our mailboxes.

Male. (Women are way to mature and intelligent to waste their time with such foolishness.)

Young, 17 to 24. (Or, at least stuck in this age group developmentally.)

He lives with Mom and Dad. (Anyone out on their own knows what it takes to maintain property.)

His own mailbox has never been bashed or stolen.

He drives a high profile vehicle like a truck or jeep. (You don’t swing at mailboxes from a Honda Civic or Prius.)

He always has a baseball bat in his vehicle.

He drives drunk. (Surely he is not sober when acting the fool... another good reason to get him off the streets.)

Pursues this act of vandalism in the company of a friend or friends. (Someone has to drive while the batter is up.)

A good chance he works very little or has a job with odd hours as he can be up late.

How do we catch him/them? I suggest a reward. I am willing to start the pot with $100. If we all pitch in a few dollars, we can have a sustaining bounty pool of several hundred dollars. If the perp’s friends know they can pick up a few hundred dollars for just ratting out a buddy, hey why not? Anyone else interested in doing something about the destruction of Newtown mailboxes? Maybe we can talk The Bee into holding the funds for distribution?

Larry Richardson

28 Jeremiah Road, Sandy Hook                         September 27, 2012