'It's going to get worse': Mail carrier thefts on the rise

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- On Wednesday, April 26, a United States Postal Service (USPS) worker was held at gunpoint and robbed in Milwaukee.

According to the Milwaukee Police Department, the armed robbery happened just after 12:45 p.m. near 88th and Chambers -- a few blocks from Mount Mary University.

MPD said the armed unknown suspect approached, demanded and obtained property from the USPS mail carrier.

"It's just starting in Milwaukee so it's going to get worse and worse," said Frank Albergo, national president of the Postal Police Officers Association.

Albergo believes burglars are after arrow keys which grants access to collection boxes, outdoor parcel lockers, cluster box units and apartment panels.

"I was a letter carrier for six years, I'll tell you this I wouldn’t want to be a letter carrier now," said Albergo.

Albergo believes the postal service should get rid of arrow keys and switch to digital keys. He also believes postal officers should get back out on the streets.

In 2020, postal police were prohibited to provide patrol coverage of letter carrier routes. Albergo believes that if the jurisdiction of postal police were reinstated, they could halt this alarming theft trend.

"We're specially trained to stop mail theft and protect letter carriers and right now we are not doing that," said Albergo.

The United States Postal Inspection Service said postal police are federally mandated to provide physical security for facilities and that USPIS have various partners that combat and prosecute robberies.

Milwaukee police said they have no one in custody and are asking anyone with information to contact MPD at (414) 935-7360, or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (414)224-Tips or P3 Tips App.