HomeMy WebLinkAboutPS 2019-02-19 Item 2B - Discussion - Locking Mailbox Pilot ProgramCity of Tukwila
1411 A 4,
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
TO:
I FOR ATIONAL E ORANDU
Public Safety Committee
FROM: Bruce Linton — Police Chief
Henry Hash — Public Works Director
BY: Olin Johansen — Mayors Office Intern
Chris Partman — Community Policing Coordinator
CC: Mayor Allan Ekberg
DATE: February 13, 2019
SUBJECT: Locking Mailbox Program Pilot
ISSUE
Mailbox theft is a reoccurring problem in Tukwila. This leads to lost property, identity theft, and
lost police time. Over 70 mail thefts have occurred in Tukwila over the last two years, many
more are estimated to go unreported. Use of locking mailboxes is one method to reduce mail
theft.
BACKGROUND
In July 2017, Tukwila announced a Mailbox Cluster program, which helped residents to install
locking cluster mailboxes for groups of residences. This program was promoted in the July 2017
E-Hazelnut, but unfortunately did not receive any applications. The region also suffers from this
problem, and SeaTac has instituted a program that installs locking mailboxes for its citizens in
July of 2018. There have been over 100 locking mailboxes installed so far, and the program is
generally considered to be a success by the City of SeaTac and by the residents who have
received the service.
DISCUSSION
As a pilot program, the city will relaunch its locking mailbox program with a similar model to the
one used by SeaTac. Residents will be able to purchase a locking mailbox at a subsidized rate
and fill out proper paper work at city hall through the Police Department. The City will survey the
location, and the Public Works Department will then install the mailbox at the resident's address.
The pilot program will be for 100 mailboxes to evaluate demand and to allow for adjustments to
the program while the scale is still small. Once results of the program are measured, the
findings will be presented back to the council.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
$30,000
• $11,664 for 100 Mail Boss Mailboxes
• $500 for other materials
• Remaining amount for staff time
ATTACHMENTS
A: Tukwila mailbox program detail
B: Specification Sheet for Mail Box Mailbox
RECOMMENDATION
Discussion Only
37
Attachment A
Tukwila Mailbox Program Details
Application process: Resident emails application to Chris Partman or comes to city hall
completes-
• Application form
• Payment, for online Chris will call for payment or resident can come in to pay in person
• Permission form for City Staff to handle residents mail
• Public Works staff receives approved application and schedules installation
• After installation either
o Resident signs receipt for keys and any mail
o Mail and keys are brought to City Hall for pickup and signature by resident
Resources used:
• Staff time to review applications and perform income screening
• Resident payment for mailbox - $108
• Wood for mailbox post (situation dependent)
• Estimated 12 staff hours a week for installation and 10 staff hours for application review
and payment
• Installation team
Special case rules:
• Renters need permission from owners
• Low Income requests routed to Chris Partman
• If mailbox is to change location, post office must give permission
• Installation is only done on right-of-way, never on private property
Mailbox Costs:
• Retail: $158
• Cost for residents through program: $108
• Reduced rate for low income residents through program: $54
38
Neodymium magnet Flexible outgoing mail
keeps door closed r. `n._= flag for vandalism
and mail dry 6 _�¢.. - resistance
Full service mailbox
includes concealed
outgoing mail clip
Pull-out mail tray for
easy mail retrieval
from vehicle
Patented anti -pry latch
locking mechanism
prevents leveraged entry
w
Incoming mail bin
accepts small packages
and deters fishing
Heavy gauge galvanized
steel construction for
strength and durability
Patented FAST TRAK
Mounting Plate for quick
and easy installation on
most any post or platform