MENG GETS POSTAL SERVICE TO FIX AND BETTER SECURE RELAY BOXES BROKEN INTO IN FOREST HILLS

QUEENS, NY – In her continuing efforts to combat mail theft in Queens, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) announced today that she convinced the U.S. Postal Service to repair and better secure four green relay boxes in Forest Hills after they were broken into and the mail inside was stolen.

Green relay boxes are used to store mail and are often located next to blue collection boxes throughout the borough. Over the past few years, these types of boxes have been targeted by thieves who have stolen mail from them which has included checks, prescriptions, bank and credit card statements and other personal and sensitive information. Often times, this information is used to steal money and identity data from Queens residents. 

The four relay boxes that were recently broken into by criminals are located at the corners of Greenway South and Summer Street; Ingram Street and Ascan Avenue; Russell Place and Ascan Avenue and 70^th Road and 110^th Street. 

After Meng contacted Postal officials, she urged the agency to immediately fix these relay boxes, and the Postal Service swiftly installed stronger locks – pad locks – to prevent the additional stealing of mail. 

The Congresswoman also renewed her call for more secure boxes in Queens including for all relay and collection boxes across the borough.

Last year, Meng secured the first ever federal probe into mail theft in Queens and the investigation revealed numerous issues with how the Postal Service was addressing the problem. The audit made several recommendations that are now being implemented, and these improvements include enhanced security for boxes. The full implementation of the recommendations is expected to be completed in April. 

“I thank the Postal Service for being responsive to these relay boxes in Forest Hills,” said Congresswoman Meng. “But mail theft continues to impact our borough and more permanent solutions are needed, and that includes higher security boxes and locks. I look forward to all the recommendations of the mail theft audit being implemented so that Queens is no longer plagued with this problem, and local residents are no longer forced to worry about their mail winding up in the hands of crooks.”

“I would like to thank Congresswoman Meng for the prompt attention to this very important matter,” said Heidi Chain, a Forest Hills resident who informed Meng of the broken relay boxes. “The secure delivery of the mail is of the utmost importance to our community. Congresswoman Meng has always been responsive to the needs of our community, and it is a pleasure to work with the Congresswoman and her team. I truly appreciate the fast response once I notified them about mail being stolen from these relay boxes.”

Chain is also President of the 112^th Precinct Community Council and a member of Community Board 6. 

If constituents see issues with relay boxes, collection boxes or overall mail theft, they can report the problems to Meng’s office at 718-358-MENG.