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Mail theft is common neighborhood problem

By Tiffany Carney

Leonard Procker takes pride in his Pierce Ranch neighborhood in San Jose's Almaden Valley--a close-knit community where most residents know each other by first, middle and last name. And the tree-lined streets, abundant wildlife and mountain views give residents a getaway from downtown's more hectic pace. That's why he was surprised to learn that mail theft has become an issue in the neighborhood.

Pierce Ranch isn't the only area that has been targeted. Police say mail theft has been reported in areas throughout the city from West San Jose and Willow Glen to the Cambrian area.

"Where we see it most frequently are areas where they have the mailbox on a post out by the sidewalk or in the street as opposed to right up by the front door," says Dick Parson, San Jose Police Department crime prevention specialist.

These mailboxes make it easier for someone to walk by and steal newly delivered mail, he said.

In the past two months, Vicki Alexander said, she's become more aware of theft issues in her Cambrian neighborhood since a neighbor across the street had mail stolen.

"I think our neighborhood still feels safe, but it is disquieting that there are all these things going on," she says. "Maybe it is not as safe as it feels on the surface."

Alexander said she is most concerned about identity theft because that can have a huge financial impact.

As a result, several neighborhoods have taken action against mail theft.

Procker, for example, contacted Councilwoman Nancy Pyle after hearing about the mail problems in January. Procker said he didn't want to wait around to become the next victim so he wrote a letter to Pyle alerting her of the issue and bought a locking mailbox from a local hardware store.

Pyle has been meeting regularly with police to find a solution, said Lee Wilcox, District 10 chief of staff. He said the district office continues to receive complaints from all over the Almaden area about the issue.

The Cambrian Community Council has invited Parsons to make a presentation at the Cambrian School District Board Room, 4115 Jacksol Drive, on March 3 to educate residents about how to prevent mail theft.

Parsons said some things residents can do to help prevent mail theft include: pick up delivered mail as soon as possible; never leave mail outside overnight; and take outgoing mail directly to the post office.

"I never put mail out in the mailbox; I just don't do it," Parsons said.

Procker said his best defense against mail theft in his Pierce Ranch neighborhood has been to grab the mail before someone else gets the opportunity. He always makes a point to get his mail soon after it is delivered.

For a list of crime reported in a specific neighborhood, visit www. sjpd.org and follow the link to www.crimereports.com.