SAN ANTONIO — People living in the Copper Canyon neighborhood were surprised yet grateful to see the U.S. Postal Service arrive Wednesday with upgraded mailbox units.
Neighbors told KENS 5 it’s been a long time coming after enduring two years of thieves targeting their decrepit, worn-out cluster mailboxes.
“Fortunately, we’ve been blessed,” said Darrol Hicks.
“It’s a beautiful day,” added Andrew Gonzalez. “High-security locks, and the doors don’t bounce around or wiggle or anything like that, so we’re very excited. Thieves are going to think twice about anything that they want to do with these mailboxes."
The fight for a fix started two years ago, after Gonzalez’s surveillance cameras captured thieves in action along Sylhet View near Heath Road. Gonzalez’s footage not only captured the thieves but their vehicles as well, showcasing their license plates.
The thieves were seen prying open the mailboxes using some type of tool and, in the span of just a minute or two, grabbing as much mail as possible before taking off in a getaway car.
Gonzalez and other neighbors filed complaints with the San Antonio Police Department, USPS and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, calling for solutions. However, Gonzalez said they were met with an absence of urgency by all agencies.
That is, until KENS 5 was informed of the issue.
When Gonzalez initially spoke with KENS 5 a couple weeks ago, he said such activity had been on the rise between March and May.
The latest incident happened just before 4 a.m. on Tuesday, according to Gonzalez, who shared surveillance footage.
Officials with USPS had initially assessed neighbors’ concerns, stating mail delivery continued since the mailboxes were not broken. However, Gonzalez and others disagreed as the units were visibly beat-up. He picked up a broken piece of the cluster box that was just resting on top of the unit.
Neighbors had been demanding that USPS repair or replace the mailboxes. The original units dated back to the Copper Canyon neighborhood’s inception in 2004.
“You have to let the postal service know what is going on. I’m glad I kept on calling the 1-800 number. I got a hold of my councilwoman,” said Nora Ciancia.
A spokeswoman with USPS emphasized their commitment to responding to residential concerns and maintaining the condition of mailboxes. The statement reads:
“The Postal Service is committed to protecting the sanctity of the mail, including ensuring mail receptacles are in good condition and can allow for the secure delivery of mail and packages. We are pleased to report that we have taken steps to resolve the concerns of some residents in the Copper Canyon neighborhood. Local postal staff are currently working to install new collection box units (CBUs) and we expect the work to be completed very soon. We apologize for any inconvenience caused and thank our valued customers for their patience.”
San Antonio police have yet to make arrests in the Copper Canyon mail thefts. Meanwhile, neighbors are staying extra vigilant.
“It’d be very, very good if you’d just come and check your mailbox every day,” Hicks said.
“They need to do something to these guys," Ciancia added. "Not just let them get away."
>MORE LOCAL NEWS:
>TRENDING ON KENS 5 YOUTUBE: