Mail Theft Discussion Raises Tempers

MORENO VALLEY >> This past Friday, March 25, Council Member Jesse Molina hosted a meeting regarding the mail theft and mailbox damage issues throughout the community of Moreno Valley. Starting at 9 a.m., in the Moreno Valley City Hall, nearly fifty concerned community members and residents filled the room. Moreno Valley Police Chief Joel Ontiveros was present to address any questions, comments, and concerns. The U.S. Postal Service was invited particularly to answer any questions of community members that have been victims of mail theft. However, due to the large amount of attendees and media personnel in the room, the federal postal inspector that showed up, refused to enter the meeting since he did not have a Public Information Officer present. This caused the frustration in the room to rise as he was unable to publicly address any of their concerns or questions. This didn’t stop the discussion from proceeding as Police Chief Ontiveros took the majority of the questions with Council Member Jesse Molina’s help. The majority of the community members in the audience were victims of mail theft; some had damaged mailboxes from burglary attempts. There were even a few that were representatives of a Home Owner’s Association (HOA) that recently had to replace the cluster mailboxes within their community due to damage. Without a USPS representative in the room, Chief Ontiveros was limited in what he could answer. Many community members had questions that could only be resolved from someone representing the Postal Service. However, Chief Ontiveros addressed all concerns while simultaneously giving suggestions and advice to residents. For those residents that have had their mailbox broken into multiple times or with a severely damaged mailbox; Chief Ontiveros was able to offer a solution. There is an option to buy a separate mailbox for your own home. “It’s a solution. It’s costly but it’s a solution,” he said. “It will be better in the long run. It will be better than getting your identity stolen.” “Mail theft is an opportunity crime,” he explained. “Don’t provide them with the opportunity to steal your mail.” Chief Ontiveros encouraged every attendee to pick up their mail right away, or as soon as they possibly can. “You should never leave your mail in the mailbox overnight,” he said. Several neighborhood watch captains and volunteers were present and shared a few tips from their own perspectives on the matter. In order to have the community work together to prevent mail theft from occurring, each resident is encouraged to keep an eye out for suspicious behavior, not only on their own property or mailbox, but that of their neighbors as well. Many attendees shared their frustration and claimed that when they call the local police, they tell them that it is considered a federal crime, meaning it is not in their jurisdiction. However, according to Chief Ontiveros, it is a petty crime and will be investigated by the Moreno Valley law enforcement. He encouraged everyone to call the police if mail is stolen or if there is any suspicious person, vehicle, or activity throughout the neighborhood. He explained that an officer will respond to any of those calls, no matter what the issue is; however, it is the priority of that call that may cause frustration to the residents. A priority one call is characterized as an emergency, emphasizing that a human life is at risk; therefore police officers will respond to that call before responding to a priority two, three, or four. Mail theft ranks as a priority four call. Chief Ontiveros explained why it is considered a petty theft, and ranks at such a low priority. Proposition 47, passed in 2014, prevents any stolen property, items, etc. that is less than $950 to be considered a serious crime. It's considered to be a misdemeanor and therefore, the criminal cannot serve any jail time. “One piece of mail is considered to be worth a dollar,” he explained. “This is just an unintended consequence of this proposition.”