WASHINGTON — Ever swiped a pen, tape gun, letter tray or mail tub from a post office? The U.S. Postal Service would like it back, please.
Starting Saturday, the cash- strapped delivery service said, it is giving customers two weeks to return stolen equipment, no questions asked.
The USPS spent nearly $50 million last year replacing equipment that was stolen or inadvertently taken and never returned by customers, officials said this week, labeling such thefts “a serious issue.”
“We are in a financial crisis and simply cannot afford this type of unnecessary expense,” said David Williams, vice president of USPS network operations. “The equipment is federal property, and we want it back.”
The Postal Service said its amnesty program will run from Saturday to Nov. 26. Customers can drop off equipment at post offices or mail-processing facilities, and organizations with large amounts of equipment can arrange for a one-time pickup by e-mailing hqmte@usps.gov and including “Equipment Pickup Request” in the subject line. The organization should include its name, address and the equipment’s location in the e-mail.
