Dear Editor. Scratch That. To whom it may concern.

Posted 6/22/23

I hope that this letter finds you well. Speaking of which, I’m really hoping it finds you, period.

Last week I decided to mail this letter and my last paper bill (I know, get with it in 2023). Only one obstacle existed, all of the blue mailboxes are now gone. Adios, auf wiedersehen, goodbye. Gone.

At the turn of the century, American neighborhoods had nearly 400,000 collection boxes. By the time that the pandemic hit America in 2020, only about 140,000 of those still remained. 

Theft is another huge issue. In a joint effort, the Postal Inspection Service announced on …

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Dear Editor. Scratch That. To whom it may concern.

Posted

I hope that this letter finds you well. Speaking of which, I’m really hoping it finds you, period.

Last week I decided to mail this letter and my last paper bill (I know, get with it in 2023). Only one obstacle existed, all of the blue mailboxes are now gone. Adios, auf wiedersehen, goodbye. Gone.

At the turn of the century, American neighborhoods had nearly 400,000 collection boxes. By the time that the pandemic hit America in 2020, only about 140,000 of those still remained. 

Theft is another huge issue. In a joint effort, the Postal Inspection Service announced on Friday that they will be working with the USPS to install over 12,000 high-security mailboxes across the U.S. in order to deter thieves.

“Post-boxes” date back to 1653 and were utilized around Paris, France. The version of the postal drop-box that we know today was invented and patented in 1891 by Phillip B. Downing, who named it the “street letter box.”

Don’t be alarmed. I’m sure that this letter will find its way to you. Right after I find a mailbox.

P.S.  –  I wouldn’t recommend mailing a reply letter.

Michael Thomas Leibrandt

Abington