While the federal government worked to sell Canadians on community mailboxes last weekend, thieves in the Southern Okanagan were busy plundering them.
Mounties said 53 individual mailboxes were targeted in Oliver, to the dismay of locals waiting for Christmas cards and presents.
“You know most likely they’re looking for gift cards that people have mailed,” said Crystal Wright, whose community mailbox was compromised. “It’s horrible.”
Another community mailbox on a rural road saw half a dozen boxes pried open.
RCMP Sgt. Ken Harrington said the criminals have more to gain than just Christmas gifts, including personal information that can be used for identity theft.
He called on area residents to help out by reporting any suspicious behaviour to police.
“If they find a pile of envelopes that have been opened up in a back ally, call us and we can potentially move forward with a forensic analysis,” Harrington said.
Despite concerns from Mounties about the vulnerability of community mailboxes, Canada Post remains firm in its plan to end urban door-to-door delivery entirely.
Transportation Minister Lisa Raitt defended the move on CTV’s Question Period Sunday as necessary to “protect taxpayers.”
“We know that [Canada Post is] losing a significant amount of money and we also know that they have a responsibility to be self-sufficient,” Raitt said.
With a report from CTV British Columbia’s Kent Molgat
