Postal Letter

Can I put a boot on a US Postal Service truck?

I own a deeded parking space in a parking lot downtown. It’s on a crowded street, where there is seldom any street parking and there are no other parking lots within about 2 blocks. My parking space is the first spot as you enter the lot. There is a sign in front of each space saying “No Parking / Private Lot / Violators will be towed” There is also a sign as you enter the lot saying the same. There is a spot for disabled people on the street, and the mail man usually parks his vehicle in this space, which annoys me. However, when the disables people’s space is taken the mail man has been parking in my space. This wasn’t that big a deal as I was usually not home, however he comes later now, and is often in my space when I get home from work. He walks about 2 full blocks with his cart before coming back to his vehicle; this takes him about one and a half to two hours. I have to either find street parking or go to a pay lot a few blocks away when he is in my spot. The first time this happened I came back and waited for him and asked him not to park in my space. He told me he doesn’t have time to look for a spot, and as a government employee, he can park wherever he wants and I have to wait. I was quite upset. I called the post office, and they said they can’t do anything, he has to park somewhere, and that if I have a problem I should just have him towed, they take no responsibility for the carrier’s actions or parking. I told the mail man I would have him towed and he laughed at me and said no one will tow a government vehicle. I then called my towing company a few times, they said they would be more than happy to tow him, they don’t care if it’s a postal truck or not. But they take about 2 hours to get there, and he is always gone before they arrive. The towing company has offered to sell me a boot. They said I can just lock it on his tire, and call them. They said the mailman will have to wait for them to show up and pay a fee to remove the boot, or if the mail man is not there or does not pay the fee, they will tow the mail truck and hold it until they mail man pays $200 + mileage + storage to get it back. Do you think this is a good idea? The mail man does know my name and where I live, which makes me think he might mess with my mail if I put a boot on his vehicle. I called the police and they stated that since the vehicle is on private property (my property) they cannot get involved, they said it is a civil matter. They would not comment on booting the postal truck when I asked. And as I stated, I have reported this to the post office, they said they can't do anything. The postal truck is actually entering a private lot, and parking on deeded private property.

Public Comments

1. File a complaint with the Post Master of your zip code.
2. Take down the truck numbers, license plate and what not, then make a written complaint to your post office. Take photos too.
3. I would get the boot or just keep trying to get the arrogant pricked towed.
4. Do it, record it, and upload it to Youtube so I can see it. This mailman situation is interestingly awesome. It's sounds like something from a 90's sitcom. I wish my problems were this fun to watch. :(
5. You can try. From Title 18, USC, Section 1701. "Section 1701. Obstruction of mails generally Whoever knowingly and willfully obstructs or retards the passage of the mail, or any carrier or conveyance carrying the mail, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
6. There was an episode of Parking Wars (A&E) where the Philly parking folks went to boot a car outside of a bar. As they started, a mailman came out of the bar, visibly drunk, and asked them noot to do it because he had to get back to his route. While he was (unsuccessfully) pleading his case, the other drunk patrons started to come out, heckling the parking guys and swearing at the cameras. Philly is a great town.
7. I think that is so not a good idea! I don't think the guy would mess with your mail cause those guys take their job seriously. Have you spoken to the police about this? I think I'd do that before putting a boot on his vehicle. And the tow company could get in trouble (I think) if they towed his truck. When those guys get out of their truck and deliver mail they leave other mail inside the truck. I'd be afraid that one would be in big trouble for messing with the mail. I mean, you have to recall that anything you might do could be considered "tampering with the mail" and that's a federal offense. I know I wouldn't mess with it! You might speak to a lawyer before making any sort of decision about this. If your company retains an attorney, ask him or her.
8. Gosh, if it were a quick delivery, I would say "let it go," but stealing a private space for 2 hours is definitely not acceptable. With the boot, I would worry about being personally responsible for "impeding mail delivery," which could be a serious crime. Your local police station can answer that question with certainty, though, so you should call them! You definitely can't get in trouble for calling a tow truck, however, since the company has the responsibility for their tows. You should call each and every time it happens, and hope that they are successful at some point. If they get towed even once, I'm sure they will change their habits. Good luck!
9. A private citizen CANNOT boot another person's car (and certainly not a vehicle owned by the Government). The tow company involved is lying to you to get extra money. If he is parked in your space, then you can call the police non-emergency line or parking authority and THEY will boot or tow the car. If he is parked in a disabled sport, then only the owner of that spot can request the car be removed, though you can certainly try to report it anonymously.