Anonymous
By Edhat Reader Jessie
Here are some photos from the Patterson Branch USPS protest today, August 17.
The fellow gesturing is a post office employee informing people that they couldn’t protest on that particular stretch of turf where a major mail box was removed a few days ago. So a protester protested, “but isn’t the post office a public entity?” to which he replied, straight-faced, “yes but it is supplemented.”
Tomorrow’s protest (Tuesday) is from 10-12 at the Patterson Branch.
Related Articles
August 15, 2020: Patterson Drive-Up Mailboxes Removed
Obviously retired with free time for such a simple cause
Opposing creeping fascism is a simple, worthy cause.
From USPS, September 19, 2016, BEFORE Donald Trump was elected:
https://www.uspsoig.gov/blog/where-have-all-collection-boxes-gone
You may now resume your conspiracy theories.
O, look, first pic. The new high security mailbox has already arrived. 🙂
Up vote for Bob. lol
GETOFF – how are they “obviously retired?” Do you know these people? I sure hope I can retire at such a young age.
Dont worry there will new boxes by the time the election is over-Normal time frame for the Fed Gov(actually pretty darn quick for box replacement)Here is a statement from the NY times in 2019(is that Trumps fault also)?The United States Postal Service is replacing or retrofitting mailboxes in much of the northeast to eliminate the pull-down handle in favor of a slender mail slot with a singular goal: foiling thieves. … (With an air of crime-fighting secrecy, postal inspectors declined to elaborate on precisely how the device works.Mar 21, 2019
I can’t stand the current “administration” as much as the next liberal, but are we sure these mailboxes were removed for nefarious, political reasons? I’ve heard a few people (who “know” PO officials) saying they were removed to be replaced by more secure boxes. That said, nothing surprises me anymore these days.
Not six feet apart. Should I scold them or not?
Gee Bob, you’re a special one. Thanks for being so special. Thanks for being such a good person!
The boxes are not damaged or being replaced or cleaned or whatever excuse the fans of the president wants you to believe. He candidly said he will do whatever he can to stop vote by mail. Our city officials and legislators have not received an official word on why these boxes were removed. Salud Carbajal and other leaders are hosting a press conference tomorrow about it. If this was all a “misunderstanding” or the boxes need cleaning or anti-theft BS, there wouldn’t be a press conference, there would be an explanation from the post office to clear this up. There hasn’t been. The only non-answer that was given was posted on KEYT:
“Given the recent customer concerns the Postal Service will postpone removing boxes for a period of 90 days while we evaluate our customers concerns. ”
-Meiko S. Patton, United States Postal Service
Why can’t the Trump apologists get this? If the boxes are being “replaced” it is almost certainly because the jig was up. They got caught. If they wanted to do some sort of improvement there would have been notice, directions to another location, and hopefully a staggered customer friendly implementation. No fuss and no muss. Instead the boxes disappeared in the middle of the day. I drove by this location on Friday around 11:45 and all was well. Next thing I read is that the boxes are gone. These are the tactics of dictatorships around the world. Never in the US?
I understand that Phone Booths are going as well as the Yellow-FotoMat film developing stores…
Missing were directions to a new location: park your car and walk into the Patterson Post Office and you can mail your letters inside.
Those arguing that the box is not used has never seen the lines. The post office had to get a ‘drive thru’ lane put in. Those that are saying the box is not secure has never used the box there. It was already the box that had the tiny slot in it so that you could only put in envelopes. Those that cite Bob from Ventura and that article, that’s nice. One, that was in the NE and two the article stated to evaluate usage.
This box removal means that envelopes can’t be mailed unless the PO is open and you care to park (small parking lot) and walk in.
You can try and figure out why it was removed, but those reasons listed above make no sense.
DAVEB wrote: “This box removal means that envelopes can’t be mailed unless the PO is open and you care to park (small parking lot) and walk in.” DAVEB, you do have a mail box at your residence where you receive mail? Do you realize that the postal carrier will also pick up outgoing mail that you leave for them? Even those with locked inboxes (such at apartment complexes) have an outgoing mail slot.
Best thing about these photos is the notification that the Post Office is hiring. Unemployed? Apply at the USPS.
They’re advertising for executive positions, and the less experience you have, the more they want you. It’s really for jobs throughout the trump misadministration, not just the PO.
Updated at 5:51pm – https://twitter.com/RepCarbajal/status/1295523675505078277
How embarrassing. So much for all that hysteria.
IDK if USPS is really removing boxes to replace them and move some to more high traffic areas (their line) or not, but they certainly could have handled this more gracefully by sending out press releases to local media, notices on social media, etc…with a clear schedule of where and when, including when replacement boxes would be installed. To remove them and not say anything feels like they are being sneaky and dishonest about their motives. Transparency in the public eye is better – that’s Gov’t Management 101 stuff.
Thanks to the large and vocal Edhatist community the box(es) were replaced according to KEYT today…
Don’t forget to vote early and often.
Boxes are back. I saw them. Don’t know how to post a photo or I would. Thanks all. I was at the protest today for a bit when they moved us off the cement. Every one had masks. Public feedback made a big difference. They aren’t high security boxes either. Just regular pull open but limited so big envelopes will have to go inside
Yes, I saw the boxes. They are back. Not high security though. Just limit to how much they open. Same as what I’m used to
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy owns stock in the competitors of the postal service. Another example of the Trump cronie grab bag for profit at the expense of democracy. Lock him up.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/12/politics/postal-service-dejoy-conflicts-amazon-trades-xpo-stake/index.html
Prevent drive-through mailing and you force people to park to mail; but then the parking lot is,too small for all of the folks needing to mail, so the USPS must enlarge their parking lot and pay for the work. I always thought the USPS was a service to society. Why not charge periodical delivery acording to weight like everything else? That catalog weighs more than 12 ounces and has to pay express mail rates. Mail is basic.
You’re talking about Trump supporters boomer.
Oh look – the enablers of the fascists coming out using old information to protect the grand wizard.
Not sure about boxes there but there are lockouts at many post offices. Slowdown is very real . Mailed 3 Priority Mail letters August August 7th from Stork PO . Normal 2-3 days at Max . All inside Ca. On all tracking shows in transit Late 20 days . Trump is outright destroying the USPS
I don’t think you are serious, but dropping off mail has very little impact on the environment within the context of your overall trip. If you were serious, you would be talking about the drive-thru at In and Out.
Hello-this was about removing boxes, a process going on for years before Trump. I miss them too. But we do not mail any longer the way we did. This was a bad move by leadership here, and really inconvenient for the elderly, handicapped and all who simply slowly pass through. Why create more need for dangerous parking in that lot, and more lines masked or otherwise. The sky has not fallen from our little greenhouse or has it? The real issue is not mailing ballots but counting them with the same care as a planned absentee ballot. Can we get things right, and not be so hysterical and totally political?
Owlworks: Well said. It would be nice if we could get things right and get over the hysteria and anger about everything that happens. Stay calm and carry on.
Often?
LCP – You must have missed this memo 🙂
🙂 Nope. I didn’t get the memo. I guess I am in a different political party.
Would you give a burglar a key to your house? Why should anyone give you information regarding how the “new” post office box security device works?
Fund the postal service and get it up to speed. …
Forget about mail in voting…We are not set up to handle it !
Blue Mailboxes Matter…what a great Halloween costume .
Since masks are mandatory now, thought we should celebrate Halloween year round.
What a party it will be in IV this fall… Trick or treating .
Donors get first crack. The bigger the donor, the bigger the crack. No experience necessary.
This is so pathetic. But the silver lining is the hysterical “blue boxes matter” sign….what a wonderful token in the midst of all the BS allowed to go on in America currently.
Politics is an amazing thing. Especially when the people who are so up in arms are the very ones being played. The approach is almost infantile by design but amazingly it works effectively and without fail. As the same cast of characters use social proof, authority and reciprocity in this dramatic show of political theater. Same people setting it off, same people responding to the trap. Every. Single. Time. Because it’s just too easy to instigate rage, hatred, frustration and pain and point it towards a target. Thing is? People know they are head first starting at an illusion. But they don’t seem to care. They know that as before, in a few months it will all be gone and a new game will appear, leaving this one all but forgotten.
KEYT reports that the boxes are back, slightly altered. It appears that you have to get out of your car now to put the mail in the box. So will take longer and not be as useful for people with mobility problems.
i have a feeling these people are supporters of causes i do not love. well.. they are from a city who is full of people who are supporters of causes i do not love.
@Pit, There are a lot of people out of work, struggling, and searching for meaningful employment. Your jokes at their expense are not cool, nor funny.
How can one have a “feeling” that those wanting the mail boxes re-installed in front of the post office should not be supported? And a “whole city” filled with people who want the mail boxes back? I have used those mail boxes for YEARS and years and was disappointed to see them “gone” (temporarily as it turns out), but that’s not a supportable position?
Get a government job if you want to retire early, or a teaching job and never have to show up at work at all.
I just got this in an email from Congressman Salud Carbajal’s office.
In response to the removal of the drive-up mailboxes at the 130 S. Patterson Avenue United States Postal Office, City staff coordinated with Congressman Salud Carbajal’s office to get an explanation from the USPS at to why this mailbox was removed. Congressman Carbajal’s office made contact with USPS staff and they provided an explanation. This explanation is summarized in the press release below provided by Congressman Carbajal’s office. For more information, watch the press conference he will hold on the topic tomorrow, August 18 at 1:00 p.m. The press conference will include Mayor Perotte, Councilmember Kyriaco, and others. The event will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/repsaludcarbajal.
TOMORROW: Carbajal to Hold Press Conference Outside Goleta Post Office
House to vote later this week on bill to save the Postal Service
Representative Salud Carbajal will host a press conference TOMORROW, Tuesday, August, 18th, at 1:00pm Pacific Time, in front of the Goleta Post Office on Patterson Avenue. The event follows reports that a popular drive-up post office box was removed over the weekend and concerns from constituents who have experienced delayed or interrupted mail service.
•WHO: Representative Salud Carbajal
• Mayor Paula Perotte
• Councilman James Kyriaco
• Office of Supervisor Gregg Hart
• Additional guests to be determined
•WHAT: Press conference on Postal Service issues in our nation and community
•WHEN: Tuesday, August, 18th, at 1pm PDT
•WHERE: Goleta Post Office at 130 S. Patterson Ave, Santa Barbara, CA 93111
•WATCH: The event will also be live streamed here: www.facebook.com/repsaludcarbajal.
Background:
Across the country, operational changes implemented under the Trump-appointed Postmaster General, Louis Dejoy, have degraded postal service operations and delayed mail delivery amounting to an assault on one of our oldest and most cherished institutions.
These changes have resulted in the delayed delivery of life-saving medication, which our veterans and seniors rely on, and hurts small businesses who frequently utilize the Postal Service to conduct their business. Hasty changes to mail collection and delivery could have devastating consequences on our democracy, as many Americans intend to vote by mail in November amid concerns about contracting and spreading COVID-19.
Initial feedback from local post office officials have suggested the mailbox on Patterson Ave was removed “due to an ongoing problem with thieves phishing for mail.” The Congressman’s office will continue to inquire about the motivations behind the removal and work to ensure the USPS has the resources and support necessary to continue providing critical services going forward.
On May 15th, the Congressman voted to pass The Heroes Act, which allocates $25 billion in emergency appropriations to the Postal Service to address the revenue shortfalls associated with COVID-19 and to support postal workers who have served on the front lines of the pandemic. On August 12th, Congressman Carbajal joined over 190 of his colleagues in a letter to the Postmaster General calling for a reversal of the policies which have exacerbated the crisis at the USPS.
Congressman Carbajal will return to Washington, DC on Saturday to vote on the Delivering for America Act, which would prohibit the Postal Services from implementing any changes to operations or levels of service it had in place on January 1, 2020.
Individuals with information about other mail boxes in our community which have been removed, or who have experienced delays with their mail service should reach out to the Congressman’s office at (805) 730-1710.
Hmm. The re-use of the Black Lives Matter slogan to apply to inanimate objects like a mailbox shows the privelege of these people and the disconnect from the reality of oppressed groups. I support the protestors’ cause, but wow, what a choice slogan. Not cool or remotely funny in my book.
I can’t believe how people get in such a frenzy over this. The USPS is not closed for cripe sake. If you can’t figure out how to get your mail out you have bigger problems than this.
Minimizing the concerns of others. That must be a popular approach.
Yet Garbage All has to politicize it with a press conference. What a joke.
I am going to have a protest against drive through mailboxes because they clearly contribute to the high levels of greenhouse gas emissions.
But it’s a short term appointment, over and out on Wednesday, January 21, 2021!
January 21, 2025! FIFY, You’re welcome. lol
Except they are clearly making fun of the “blue lives matter” slogan used by police supporters itself an insensitive and small minded response to the black lives matter movement.
Cool and funny
The USPS is now saying that all changes would be suspended until after the November 3 election following the announcement of legal action from states.
This is just the beginning of the control we are allowing to slowly happen to us. Wake up
Not if you politicize it with a bunch of nonsensical rants.
People have posted criticism of the wording ‘Blue Boxes Matter’ as a mockery of the ‘Blue Lives Matter’ and a privileged and disconnected person regarding the oppressed by applying those words to an inanimate object.
Privilege? The idea here is about voter suppression awareness and has nothing to do with privilege or disconnect from the oppressed. You are digging way deeper than need be. It is not meant to be funny or disrespectful to the purpose of ‘Blue …. Matter’ or ‘Black …. Matter’ movements. Blue mailboxes DO matter, and tons of them have disappeared for various and questionable reasons. Will they be returned now that The Postmaster General has bent to pressure to back off making major changes to the USPS before the election? Who knows. The ones on Patterson were, due to citizens speaking up. I do know that major backlash and pressure from citizens (has presumably) stopped him from taking more measure to further weaken an American institution—the USPS.
Why not simply place your mail in your home mailbox? Definitely a lost less effort than walking/driving to any other mailbox.
DOULIE – Why not simply have mailboxes available for the public at the Post Office? Not all residences have mailbox’s that can hold anything you want to send, ie, packages, large envelopes, etc. Not a very viable solution.