Congressman Ted Lieu Calls For 'Systemic Fix' Of U.S. Postal Service

TORRANCE (CBSLA.com) — A congressman from the South Bay said the U.S. Postal Service needs a major overhaul to fix its widespread problems, including mail theft.

Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Manhattan Beach, met with Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan at a recent hearing of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Torrance Resident Rick Beaver said when he goes to his mailbox, he doesn't know what to expect. He is now used to getting his neighbors' mail in his Torrance condo building.

"It is very annoying," Beaver said. "We get mail for different addresses in the city."

Then there's mail that's late or never delivered.

"I have overdue bills I have to pay. I've gotten envelopes that have been opened by other people in the building. It makes me feel like my privacy is being invaded," Beaver added.

Moreover, Beaver said he is sick of being ignored by people at his local post office. "I've talked to supervisors who've been unhelpful and rude. There's a problem that's not being addressed, and I would like to see it improved."

He contacted local lawmakers, and apparently, he wasn't the only one. Lieu heard from so many about mail theft and delivery problems, he asked the postmaster general to do something about it at a recent hearing.

"We have had a number of difficulties with service in my district," Lieu said. "The problem is we continue to get more and more cases. Now, it's a systemic issue in Western L.A. County."

The U.S. Postal Service released this statement: "The Postal Service acknowledges that some customers in parts of Los Angeles County have experienced service that is below the level we wish to provide, and we apologize for those irregularities."

The agency also said it is working on improving service by "adjusting delivery routes, hiring and training new employees, reviewing transportation between facilities and assigning special management teams."