Mayor's Report - July 2010

Theft of mail from Canada Post group mail boxes has become a serious and growing problem in the BC Lower Mainland from Hope to Vancouver, and like any theft of personal property can lead to financial loss and considerable inconvenience. Over the last five years there have been 350 arrests and 2400 charges related to Mail Theft in the Lower Mainland. (The number of mailbox break-ins per capita is ten (10) times higher here than in Ontario!) During the first half of 2010 there have been a dozen incidents of mailbox break-ins in the area served by the Port Moody Postal Station, which includes Belcarra.

One of the most serious issues is Identity Theft. One of the fastest growing crimes in Canada, identity theft occurs when someone steals your name and other personal information with the intention of assuming your identity to gain access to your finances, make purchases and incur debts in your name, or commit other crimes. It is important that people learn to protect both their mail and their personal information, and to assist Belcarra residents, the Belcarra website now includes links and other information.

Mail Theft is a federal crime, and new federal legislation deems mail NOT to be delivered until it is in your personal possession. As a consequence, mail delivered to group mail boxes is considered to be still in the possession of Canada Post until picked-up by the owner of the mail; that is, the addressee. This is a subtle but important point which means that perpetrators are charged with "mail theft" and not simply "theft under". In other words, "mail theft" is serious crime that warrants stronger measures to protect Canadians' personal information from "identity theft".

On July 15^th Councillor Bruce Drake, CAO Lynda Floyd and I met with Inspector George Gfellner and S/Sgt. Kevin Jones from the Coquitlam RCMP Detachment, along with several Canada Post representatives to discuss the many aspects of the mail theft issue. Canada Post advises that new "target hardening" measures are being implemented –– all door locks on group mail boxes have been "up-graded" and, beginning in September, group mail boxes will be retro-fitted with anti-pry devices. The Port Moody area group mail boxes are scheduled to be retro-fitted with anti-pry devices in early 2011; perhaps as early as January.

Reporting of mailbox break-ins also plays an important part in solving the problem. First and foremost, anybody who witnesses a mailbox break-in occurring should immediately call "9-1-1". In Belcarra, fast action by a Block Watch member allowed the RCMP to secure fingerprint evidence that led to the culprits being caught, convicted and sentenced.

As a result of our July 15^th meeting, a new response protocol has been implemented when mailbox break-ins are reported. You now only need to telephone the Coquitlam RCMP Detachment non-emergency number (604-945-1550), and the RCMP Dispatcher will both generate a file number and also contact Canada Post security personnel (7/24) to report the incident on your behalf.

We are very appreciative of the efforts by both Canada Post and the Coquitlam RCMP Detachment to prevent mail theft in our area.

UPDATE: As of Friday, August 6^th, all group mail boxes in Belcarra have had both up-graded locks and anti-pry devices installed by Canada Post.

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