Some of Owensboro’s Trinity Hills residents have expressed frustration after receiving a letter from the United States Postal Service requesting the installation of curbside mailboxes due to alleged dog issues in their neighborhood.
The letter, signed by Terri Clouse, a local USPS supervisor, cited “ongoing safety concerns” involving dogs in or around the area.
The letter stated, “We are asking that all residents put up a mounted box beside your driveway, so the carrier will no longer have to walk the street to deliver mail.”
The letter’s closing paragraph implied mandatory compliance, stating “the mounted box must be up” by the deadline of Nov. 30.
The request has sparked considerable discussion online. Posts on social media garnered hundreds of comments, ranging from concern for elderly residents to support for mail carriers’ safety. Other commenters pointed to incidents where dogs appeared contained but posed potential risks, such as breaking through doors or escaping from backyards.
David Norris, Chairman of the Seven Hills Neighborhood Alliance, said he first became aware of the issue after receiving the letter on Nov. 15.
“It was dated the 13th, and it asked us to ensure a box was installed by the 30th,” Norris said. “That’s a quick turnaround, especially for families who have a lot going on with the holidays.”
Norris explained that the letter was not limited to his cul-de-sac but appeared to affect close to 100 homes in the Trinity Hills area, including residents on Strawbridge Place and Suzanne Court. After posting about the issue on Facebook, Norris said he received an outpouring of feedback.
“The number one concern people raised was about the timing and cost. Asking for this kind of change right before the holidays is tough,” he said.
Some residents, Norris noted, took immediate steps to investigate their options.
“The first thing we did was call 811 to check utility lines where the boxes would need to be installed. Several of us did that right away,” he said. “It’s not just a simple request for some families. Depending on where the box would go, you might have to dig near water or utility lines.”
Norris said Clouse has been available for continued conversations, but there is still some confusion surrounding the USPS request.
“There’s been no blanket communication that explains how this will be handled or that answers everyone’s questions,” he said. “People are getting different stories, which only adds to the confusion. She told me there would be medical exemptions, and if 811 flagged a utility, there would be a utility exemption.”
He also noted that, per a recent conversation with Clouse, the deadline to place a mailbox had been extended to mid-December.
Norris acknowledged that safety concerns for mail carriers should be addressed but said that some of the proposed solutions, such as cluster mailboxes, are not ideal.
Owensboro Times contacted USPS for clarification on whether the agency can mandate mailbox installations in these circumstances. Officials at the local post office declined to comment. Strategic communications specialist Susan Wright replied to an OT email sent on Tuesday afternoon.
The recent letter asking some customers to install curbside mailboxes is an attempt to find a permanent solution to an ongoing problem. Our goal is to provide excellent customer service and deliver the mail safely.
Aggressive and/or unrestrained animals are a serious issue. In 2023, there were more than 5,800 dog attacks on Postal Service employees across the country. So far in 2024, two letter carriers in Owensboro have suffered a dog attack. We will continue to emphasize dog bite awareness for our employees and implement proactive measures to eliminate unsafe situations.
Customers affected by this change in mode of delivery are encouraged to contact the Owensboro Post Office if they have questions or concerns.
An OT review of the USPS Operations Manual and online policies revealed provisions for service suspension due to dog threats. However, it did not explicitly state the agency’s authority to require mailbox installations due to such issues.
It remains unclear what will happen if residents do not comply with the letter. According to the letter, residents who are unable to comply are asked to call the Owensboro Post Office at 270-689-1838. Residents with questions or concerns can also try calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).
OT will continue to follow the situation and update our report if more information becomes available.
