Skip to content

South Surrey mailboxes targeted again

No suspects or witnesses to latest community-mailbox damage and theft, as
9371whiterockMailboxbreakinAug172015008copy
Community mailboxes near 26 Avenue and 171 Street in South Surrey were found damaged Aug. 17.

Thieves targeting community mailboxes have struck again in Grandview Heights.

Damage to and theft from a pair of the mailboxes near 26 Avenue and 171 Street was reported to police by an area resident on Aug. 17, after it was hit overnight. Last December, two of the heavy-steel boxes were stolen in their entirety from the 16900-block of 28 Avenue.

Surrey RCMP Cpl. Scotty Schumann said police did not attend the scene of the latest damage, "as there were no suspects, no witnesses and no mail inside."

Canada Post spokesperson Anick Losier said the work is "clearly" that of criminals, but was not able to elaborate on the extent of the problem .

Earlier this year, Losier said a task force was working on a "multi-pronged strategy" to address ongoing mailbox-robbery issues. She reiterated Monday that when it comes to the crimes, "where there's a will, there's a way despite best efforts."

At least one area resident said more can and should be done to prevent the crime.

Murray McFadden told Peace Arch News that he plans to renew his push for the use of surveillance cameras as a disincentive next month.

Residents who receive their mail at a community box are encouraged to collect their mail daily, and to immediately report suspicious activity to police.

 



Tracy Holmes

About the Author: Tracy Holmes

Tracy Holmes has been a reporter with Peace Arch News since 1997.
Read more