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Ulrich said at least 20 constituents this month alone have contacted his office with Postal Service issues.
By Michael V. Cusenza
No less than four elected borough officials this week blasted the U.S. Postal Service for what they characterized as ongoing and serious mail delivery issues throughout Queens.
City Councilman Eric Ulrich sounded the alarm on Monday, noting that his office has fielded at least 20 complaints this month alone about increasingly unreliable USPS service, with grievances ranging from late and missed deliveries, to careless errors in which mail – oftentimes containing important and sensitive information – is delivered to the wrong address.
“It is completely unacceptable that the community – and even government offices – have had such abysmal postal service. Sensitive mail – including checks, tax documents, bills and medicine – is often missing or delivered to the wrong address,” Ulrich said. “Constituents have gone an entire week without a delivery—some of whom rely on USPS to deliver checks so that they can afford to eat.”
A USPS spokesman told The Forum that New York Postal Service leadership is working on the matter.
“U.S. Postal Service management regrets reading reports of delivery service issues that City Councilman Ulrich has reported on behalf of his constituents and his office staff in Ozone Park. The Post Office always attempts to deliver every piece of mail in a timely, accurate, and efficient manner, and we regret any instance when we have failed to do so. Management officials are aware of delivery issues, as they relate to Winter Storm Grayson, and worked diligently to resolve dangerous conditions which prohibited some mail delivery,” said Xavier Hernandez. “Area Postmaster Paul Stremel has taken this matter on personally and is working with Councilman Ulrich’s office to ensure his constituents’ issues are resolved promptly. Postmaster Stremel and his local management employees will remain committed to providing excellent service in Ozone Park.”
On Tuesday, U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (D-Flushing), Joe Crowley (D-Queens and Bronx), and Greg Meeks (D-Jamaica) penned a letter to the head of USPS calling for a plan to address the problems.
“It has come to our attention from our constituents that mail delivery standards throughout Queens are not meeting even the most basic expectations,” the representatives wrote. “As you know, New Yorkers rely on the United States Postal Service (USPS) as an effective and dependable means of communication. Essential matters, such as Social Security benefits, bills, vital medical prescriptions and equipment, government issued identifications, and financial documents are processed and delivered by USPS every day. It is critical that USPS maintain reliable mail delivery service. The current mail delivery problems plaguing the residents of Queens must be addressed immediately.”
Hernandez said that customers in Queens with delivery service issues are encouraged to contact the USPS directly at (718) 348-3900.
