The United State Postal Service is expecting to ship hundreds of thousands of packages between now and Christmas Eve.
That means long hours for post carriers like Jeremy Boczar. He’s usually at his West Seneca Post Office when the sun comes up and goes down. He puts in 12-hour shifts during the busiest time of the year, just to make sure neighbors in West Seneca get the goods for the holidays.
“These are all gifts for people. That means that some kids at home are going to be happy,” Boczar said.
Tonight the USPS wants to make sure ‘porch pirates’ don’t steal your holiday happiness. Each year thieves take off with packages worth hundreds if not thousands of dollars from doorsteps after delivery. As more people do their online shopping, there’s more opportunity for thieves to strike.
“If nobody’s home and you don’t feel safe leaving the package outside notifying it and bring it back to the station,” Boczar said.
Postal carriers don’t encourage you to leave packages on your doorstep. If you will be out of town or working, have a trusting neighbor or friend collect your mail, or request your local post office to hold your mail for you.
“You can just come to your local post office which ever in your region and you can pick up the package from the clerks up front. They would be happy to help,” Boczar said.
After all they are Santa’s helpers.
“I love forward to little kids coming to the door and holding me a nice not to Santa, because I know Santa and I can get it to Santa,” Boczar said.
USPS Shipping Deadlines
FIRST-CLASS MAIL® SERVICE DEC. 19
PRIORITY MAIL® SERVICE DEC. 20
PRIORITY MAIL EXPRESS® SERVICE DEC. 22
USPS RETAIL GROUND™ DEC. 14
