Following murder of Milwaukee mail carrier, safety concerns grow for postal workers

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- As the community mourns the loss of a postal worker killed on the job last week, fellow United States Postal Service (USPS) employees have continued safety concerns.

"It's tough. Some people have come back to work, some people haven't yet," National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 2 President Rob Kania said. "It's hard because you are by yourself, and bad things can happen, and it's horrible when it does happen."

The NALC was the union that 44-year-old Aundre Cross was a member of. Cross, a USPS employee for 18 years, was shot and killed Friday, Dec. 9, while delivering on his route near 65th and Lancaster.

"I've been here for 35 years. This is the first time I've known of a letter carrier that [was killed] while on the job. It's horrible. Horrible," Kania said.

From assaults to reckless driving, the NALC says postal workers are constantly surrounded by hazards, and law enforcement could be a big help.

"I realize that the police force is thin as well, but increased patrols help a lot," he said. "Increased police presence would be the main thing."

District 9 Alderman candidate Reverend Dr. Russell Antonio Goodwin, who knew Cross personally, is calling on the community.

"I call upon all City Leaders, Church Leaders, and Community Leaders to not take this unjust killing and uptick in violence lying down. Instead, we must all unite in the spirit of "Unity" to end this senseless violence," he said in a statement sent to CBS58.

Police continue to search for a silver Audi Q5 with tinted windows they believe the shooter used on Dec. 9.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is pouring resources into the city to try to capture Cross's killer.

"The Postal Inspection Service is giving this investigation the utmost priority. Postal Inspectors throughout the Chicago Division, and from around the country, are on the ground in Milwaukee, working with our local, state, and federal partners on this case," Postal Inspector Spencer Block said.

They are also offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Any information is urged to be called into the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at (877) 876-2455. At the prompt, say "Law Enforcement." Reference case #3927094.

Alternatively, call any information to Milwaukee police at (414) 935-7360 or e-mail [email protected].