IHCA has noticed an uptick in mailbox break-ins lately. All recent incidents were reported to Issaquah Police Department (IPD). You can also alert IPD and report these crimes through their non-emergency number at 425-837-4200.
To report suspected mail theft if you feel your mail has been stolen, please contact the United States Postal Service (USPS) at https://www.uspis.gov/report or call 1-877-876-2455.
The Issaquah Post Office is located at 400 NW Gilman Blvd., Issaquah. You can reach them by calling 800-275-8777. The USPS will hold your mail, and you will physically need to go to the Issaquah branch to pick it up until further notice.
IHCA owns the cluster mail boxes around the community. The federal government regulates the installation and the specifications of all USPS serviced mailboxes, and IHCA is required to comply with federal guidelines.
A cluster box unit (CBU) is a communal mailbox that stands on a pedestal and consists of individual mailboxes – one for each customer in the street, subdivision or complex.
Cluster mailboxes in Crofton Springs neighborhood.
These CBUs also feature a parcel locker for packages that are too large for the cluster mailboxes. The carrier then places the locker key in the recipient’s box and the resident uses it to access the package. After unlocking the USPS-approved parcel locker, the key remains in the trapping lock. The carrier removes it during the next delivery.
According to USPS regulations, the property owners, builders or developers (IHCA) are responsible for repairing cluster mailboxes. Therefore, IHCA is responsible for installing, maintaining, purchasing and replacing the USPS-approved mailboxes.
IHCA will contact affected owners when new boxes are installed, approximately in the next 30-60 days, depending on shipping and installation schedules. New mailboxes were already ordered, and IHCA is currently awaiting shipping dates. Once received, installation will be prioritized by date of break- in.
The USPS regulations prohibit carriers from accepting keys to open private mailboxes. As a result, IHCA is responsible for providing customers with their tenant keys to access their mailboxes.
Prior to distributing keys, USPS will need to install the master lock for the postal mailbox door. Then, and only then, can IHCA start distributing mailbox keys to owners. USPS timing of the master lock is 100% out of IHCA hands. We must follow federal protocol.
When new mailbox keys are finally ready for distribution, you will be notified by IHCA. You will be required to pick up the new mailbox keys when they become available at the IHCA office. There will be no fees to owners for these new keys.
IHCA does not keep copies of mailbox keys after the initial box installation. USPS will charge a fee for lost key replacements if you lose them in the future. Please inquire with USPS on those matters.
Sarah Hoey is the IHCA executive director.
