More than 100 community mailboxes broken into

THUNDER BAY -- More than 100 community mailboxes were broken into last weekend resulting in possible stolen mail for local residents.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers learned of the theft Monday from mail carriers and local union president Joanne Nowosad said seven boxes in the city were hit in the Rosslyn Road and Woodcrest Road areas.

“It’s an unfortunate incident that’s happened, especially at Christmastime,” she said.

The boxes appeared to be pried open and the locks were not tampered with. Nowosad said they don’t know how much mail was taken; it depends on whether people picked up their Friday mail before Sunday evening.

Nowosad said these thefts are a big concern to the union as Canada Post moves forward with its plan to phase out door-to-door delivery service in favour of the community mailboxes. 

“We’re saying home delivery is the safest way to go,” she said.

Some community mailboxes have been in existence for quite some time; one of the locations hit on the corner of Woodcrest Road and Greenwood Lane has had a community mailbox for decades.