ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Four mail carriers were robbed and assaulted in Rochester in a week, marking an unprecedented rise in violence against postal workers, said Monique Mate, president of the local letter carriers union.
Mate said some of the mail carriers were robbed at gunpoint. She is pleading for public help in finding the thieves responsible and emphasizing the need for protection for mail carriers.
“If you see your mail carrier and a car behind them that is following them or watching them and the carrier doesn’t see it, say something,” Mate said. “There’s cameras everywhere. Somebody has a ring camera.”
Mate, who has been in her role for over 30 years, said she has never seen such an uptick in assaults on letter carriers.
Rochester police reported an attack on Sept. 5 on Ackerman Street, where a mail carrier was punched and his bag was stolen. On Sept. 11, there were two robberies: one on Clifford Avenue near Joseph Avenue and another on Depew and Forbes streets. Another attack happened Friday morning on Child and Brayer streets.
Mate said the attacks have taken a mental toll on the victims, despite being treated for their physical injuries. She stressed that letter carriers are there to serve customers but also need to feel safe.
Mate is urging the government to pass the Protect Our Letter Carriers Act and calling on the public to report any suspicious activity involving mail carriers.
She says if you are expecting important mail like a check and haven’t received it, call the sender and let them know the mail might be part of a crime.
The union is setting up a meeting with the mayor’s office to discuss potential protections for mail carriers.
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