‘It’s just awful’: U.S. Postal Service to replace blue mailbox as customers complain of theft

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Customers can’t drop off holiday letters at an East Memphis mailbox because the slot is obstructed by tape.

“It’s just awful,” said Betty Boysaw, a disabled customer. “I’m crippled.. now I have to get out of the car.”

Anyone can drop off their mail inside the post office on Erin Drive, but there is heavy damage to the side of the blue collection box.

“The boxes in question sustained damage and mail could not be securely deposited, so access was restricted, for the safety of our customers,” wrote a spokeswoman for the Postal Service.

She apologized for the inconvenience to customers but did not confirm whether thieves caused the damage.

Customers complain of stolen mail.

“It’s just something we’re living with now,” said Bill Woodmansee, who has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years.

The 82-year-old told FOX13′s reporter Kate Bieri, he has had multiple bills stolen from the collection box.

He now prefers to take his mail inside.

“I enjoy it,” he said. “It gives me a little exercise - gets me on my feet.”

In the meantime, car after car drove to the collection box only to discover the obstructed slot.

“It’s pretty rotten of people to take mail out of a mailbox,” said Margie Miller. “This is a highly traveled area, too.”

“There’s more stealing and crime in the area,” said Mandy Gootzeit. “It’s scary.”

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