ATLANTA — The U.S. Postal Service has seen an increase in mail theft across the country and attacks on their letter carriers.
Last week, homeowners and even one nonprofit told 11Alive that missing mail is a major issue around East Atlanta Village. Each case varied but the common denominator among them was mail with checks or some type of monetary item inside the envelope.
Following our report, John Johnson, who is the interim president of 330 McGill Place Board of Directors, reached out, stating for the last few months their mail kiosk has been broken into at least four times.
The thieves returned on Thursday morning, but Johnson said due to the theft, they'd had their mail held, so the thieves ended up empty-handed.
However, that's not been the case in the past at McGill Place.
Johnson said he's talked to USPS. He even reached out to the FBI and Atlanta Police but said he feels they're just dragging their feet.
"This is not one of those crimes in Midtown Atlanta to where they feel it's a priority," Johnson explained.
However, he said for the more than 200 people who live at the condominium, it's their number one priority.
"It's becoming a major problem," he said.
A resident said his biggest concern is for some people living in the gated community who rely on their mail for much more important reasons: their health.
"I'm very, very frustrated about the fact that some of the people who are getting their medication via the mail have not been able to get that here," Johnson explained.
He said each time they break into their kiosk which is inside their gates, the thieves steal every piece of mail from the 188 boxes. As for how they're doing it, Johnson said they have them on surveillance.
He wasn't able to release the video on Friday but said you can see the two individuals pull into the complex. He said they're not sure how they're getting in, but they pull in and park right next to the kiosk.
Johnson said they sit there until they feel comfortable, and then you see them get out and start their heist.
"They'll get out with their tools, grab a crowbar and start working on the door," Johnson explained, adding, "There's a 1,200-pound magnet sitting in this door that you're not supposed to be able to move."
Johnson said the individuals continue to use their crowbar until they're able to pop the door, get inside the kiosk and take every single envelope.
"They've been successful for times during their 15 attempts," he said.
Johnson said they are ramping up their security and putting measures into place he hopes will prevent the thieves from gaining access or at least keep them there long enough for police to show up and take them into custody.
While at the complex on Friday, Johnson mentioned their complex hasn't been the only target. He said the Butler Street Baptist Church across the street from them on Ralph McGill Boulevard has also been hit by thieves.
"That's a very sad situation. This church does a lot good for this neighborhood," he explained.
Johnson said the church hosts a food drive every month for the community. He said recently, they started collecting items for children as we approach Christmas. He said thieves broke into the building the same week a couple of big companies donated several items for the children, including a bunch of bicycles.
Johnson said a couple of weeks later, thieves broke into the sanctuary of the church and stole all their equipment.
"They're going through a lot of things over there," Johnson said, adding, "The good thing is there are still people in this neighborhood who care about this church and they are getting donations. However, he said they could use a lot more."
Johnson said he hopes APD will step up their patrols around the area and even consider putting in a camera along Ralph McGill Boulevard. He said they've never seen this type of criminal activity in all the years he's lived there.
He said while they can't confirm it, the neighborhood feels the spike in crime started when nearby Atlanta Medical Center closed its doors for good just down the road. Johnson said when the hospital was open, there was a lot more presence from APD and just traffic in general.
Anyone with information on the mail theft or break-ins at Butler Street Baptist Church is urged to call APD or Crime Stoppers of Greater Atlanta at 404-577-8477.
To report suspected mail looses to Postal Inspectors, call 877-876-2455 or report it at www.uspis.gov