Mailboxes: To Lock or Not To Lock

[Bernie]

"Curbside mailbox posts should be buried less than 24 inches deep and made from wood no larger than 4 inches high by 4 inches wide.Feb 6, 2018 "

I didn't get the memo.

Ya know I used a 4x4 salt treated and sunk it as deep as my arm would reach into the hole.

Then I slid a Step 2 mailbox over it.

These are pretty popular in these parts.....

[srf1957]

I didn't say mine was legal. It is 5 inch pipe buried in a milk can . Actually deeper than I put. Local Maiman delivered with a compact car and dug it deeper into the ground .

[RgrF]

[NewtonMP2100]

....lock....and load.......

[RAMd®d]

The USPS has some rules for mail box configuration.

It's mainly about height and distance from the curb, for curbside mail boxes.

After that, city and state laws would have any say over how they're constructed.

Those multiple boxes, gang boxes, are unlocking by a carrier opening a single panel with a USPS key.

Apartment or housing management is responsible for the placement according to USPS specs, cost, and maintenance, including replacement if individuals' locks and keys. The main lock operated by USPS carriers is provided by the USPS.

So to be pedantic, they do unlock boxes, but only if it's in their interest, i.e. saving time.

New housing developments around here are seeing gang boxes mid block or on corners. There are individual houses, not apartments, condos, town houses, etc.

I grew up with the sound of letters dropping down a little chute into the house, coming to rest behind a small grille. One of my favorite times of the day.

At least of those not involving food.

[Michael]

Years ago, before Home Depot and Lowe's carried locking boxes, we had a rash of mailbox thefts in our neighborhood. I think it was related to credit card statements and taking over accounts. So, I bought one of these: https://www.architecturalmailboxes.com/p...-oasis-jr/ and installed it into a brick column, 21 rows high x 2.5 bricks on each side. It's great because it can take modest sized packages and there's not an easy way to break in. My neighbor's locking box has a slot that he can just reach through to pick out his mail. That doesn't seem too secure.

A guy down the street is a contractor and complimented me on my brick-laying. I pointed out to him that it took me a whole day and a half to lay those 250 bricks. And that his mason would have done it in a couple of hours. He said that was true but it wouldn't have looked any better. That made me feel good did not cause me to change careers!

[Zoidberg]

For at-home business reasons, initially, I got a Post Office Box. The only thing I get in my curbside mailbox is junk mail and the occasional "I forgot you had a P O Box" greeting card for one of my kids.

The security of having the post office box is great. That they also accept courier packages (UPS, FedEx, etc.) is lagniappe.

And as JoeH pointed out to Deus; those nest-style boxes (apartment or condo or whatever) have single-key opening panels; the person delivering the mail does not open each individual box.

[graylocks]

thanks. i decided to go commando and got a box without a lock. living life on the edge...

[N-OS X-tasy!]

Speedy wrote:
[quote=srf1957]
[quote=Bernie]
I would but my money into a steal post and lots of concrete.
Maybe a nice vinyl post cover.

.

Then you are liable for the damage to the vehicle that accidentally hits it .

Mailboxes must be placed 6 to 8 inches away from the curb; the slot or door must be 41 to 45 inches from the ground. Curbside mailbox posts should be buried less than 24 inches deep and made from wood no larger than 4 inches high by 4 inches wide.Feb 6, 2018
A Guide to USPS Mailbox Regulations - Mailboss
https://www.mailboss.com › guide-usps-mailbox-regulations
Ok, so put your rails six inches on either side of the regulation box.
Bollards!

The USPS information above clearly differentiates between what one must do and what one should do. Thus, the recommendation to use wood for the mailbox post is just that — a recommendation, not a requirement.

[rjmacs]

RgrF wrote:

I'm pretty sure that's a mailbox (for outgoing mail), not a delivery box.