DEPARTMENT: Police Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Proposed Mail Theft Task Force
SUMMARY:
On February 21, 2018, Council members Greg Brockhouse, Ana Sandoval and Clayton Perry, through a Council Consideration Request (CCR), requested the Governance Committee consider the creation of a mailbox theft task force to review issues surrounding mail theft to include the investigative process. In addition, the CCR seeks consideration for the creation of guidelines to address best practices in reducing theft from cluster mailboxes.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Mail Crimes
Since 2017, there have been a total of 362 mail crimes reported with 20 individuals arrested. The table below provides a breakdown by service area. It is important to note that there has been an overall 50% decrease year-to-date with the most significant decrease in the North service area:
Service Area
2017
2018 YTD
North
155
23
Prue
66
26
East
26|1010|West
22|10 10|South
11|1010|Central |10 1010|Bad Address |101010|TOTAL
292
70
Offenses & Penalties
The table below provides an overview of the state charges that may be applicable for mail theft and related crimes.
Offense
Classification
Penalty
Criminal Mischief
Class A Misdemeanor
Up to one year in jail; fine up to $4,000
Fraud Use
State Jail to 1st Degree Felony
180 days to life in prison
Credit Card Abuse
State Jail to 1st Degree Felony
180 days to life in prison
SAPD Response & Investigation
The SAPD Property Crime Detail investigates criminal mischief offenses which includes damage done to mailboxes for the purpose of stealing mail.
The SAPD Financial Crimes Unit, which includes the Forgery and White Collar Crimes Details, are responsible for investigating fraud and credit card abuse that may result from mail box break-ins and mail theft in coordination with the USPI. Investigations of this nature require considerable coordi...
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