USPS Resumes Service In Santa Monica Block After Attacks On Carriers

SANTA MONICA, CA — The USPS stopped service in a Santa Monica neighborhood over attacks on mail carriers and has now started service in the area as of Tuesday, authorities said. An investigation continues.

Residents found a letter at their homes and apartments last week indicating the service was suspended following multiple attacks on carriers in the neighborhood.

Three assaults have been reported in the 1300 block of 14th Street in Santa Monica involving three separate letter carriers, USPS spokeswoman Natashi Garvins told KTLA.

Residents say there is a suspect in the area who is attacking people, including mail carriers.

The suspect, who Santa Monica police say is known to officers, attacked a mail carrier with a broomstick in the 1300 block of 14th Street on Jan. 19, according to Santa Monica Police Sgt. Erika Aklufi.

The victim sustained a minor injury to his arm and did not require medical attention, Aklufi said.

The officers who took the report contacted the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) on the day of the incident to provide information for the incident should they wish to follow up, Aklufi said.

"We do not know if the USPIS did so," Aklufi said.

Detectives reached out the investigation and about a month later the mail carrier declined to prosecute the attack, Aklufi said.

"If there were other incidents of USPS mail carriers being attacked, we were unable to locate additional reports," Aklufi said.

SMPD officials said they had never heard of the USPS suspending service for all residents in a neighborhood and referred residents to USPS for questions about the decision.

Police urge anyone with information to contact them.

Editor's Note: This story was updated at 10:25 a.m. Wednesday with additional information about service resuming in the area and the investigation ongoing.