[FedCom] Postal Inspectors & Security/Radio Systems

[Ken]

Regarding security of mail trucks.  It's a "given" that they should have 
been locking the trucks to ensure the security of the mail. HOWEVER, 
apparently after "9/11" there was significant concern that a terrorist would 
steal a postal vehicle, probably to fill it with explosives & drive pretty 
much unnoticeable to a target.  BTW those small delivery vehicles (jeeps?) 
they use are real dogs in snowy/slippery weather.

I agree with you totally on the mail security after it leaves the truck BUT 
there are vendors that offer locking mailboxes for residences (around $80.00 
or so).  On rural deliveries (mailbox out at the road) there an extreme risk 
of mail theft

Check out the USPS Postal Inspectors site for the latest information on the 
types of crimes they are looking at
http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/

Also check out the employment section website 
http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/recruit/whoweare.html  , the 
testimonials page is interesting.

BTW I find the postal inspectors/investigative assistants are a good, 
professional group of folks to deal with.  Occassionally, we have some 
situations that arise at work that require they be contacted.    They always 
tell me of the importance of reporting to them any concerns on the mail: 
lost mail (especially checks), delayed mail, scams, etc..  Apparently this 
goes in a data base based upon mailing address & receipt address & allows 
them to discover trends.   If it isn't reported than of course there would 
be no trend analysis.

To get an idea of what's happening across the country, do a google news 
search "Postal Inspectors" "Mail Theft" etc -- for those that have been 
monitoring the various inspectors frequencies, you might see a news article 
that will tie in what you heard in the past!!!

Radio wise here in my area, their primary freq (415.05R) has been very 
quiet.  Generally I find that they basically use it as a check in & check 
out type comm device e.g. in the car, arrival at (location), etc....   My 
guess is that they probably use cellphones for most of their activity & than 
if it's a surveillance type operation they would use some low powered 
portables or maybe even nextel "walkie talkie -- group or individual" or 
perhaps "direct talk, off network"....

Ken
Springfield MA Monitoring Area





----- Original Message ----- 
From: "KD7JYK, 49H7KR" <kd7jyk at earthlink.net>
To: "Discussion of Federal Government Communications" 
<fedcom at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2006 12:04 AM
Subject: Re: [FedCom] Postal Inspectors & Security/Radio Systems


> :but also security of the mail.
>
> And we know how secure mail is once it leaves the hands of the carrier...
>
> Kurt