The holiday season, known for its hustle and bustle, has brought about a wave of dangerous incidents for delivery drivers. These hardworking individuals, responsible for ensuring Christmas gifts reach their destinations, have found themselves in the crosshairs of dangerous criminals. Recent reports of robberies and carjackings involving delivery drivers have shed light on the threats they face amidst the rush of shipments and presents.

Delivery drivers from major companies such as Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and the US Postal Service have all fallen victim to these crimes over the past month. The Postal Police Officers Association has revealed that assaults on postal workers have increased by a staggering 231% in the last three years. In 2020 alone, 412 mail carriers were robbed, and the numbers continue to rise. The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) reported a significant increase in armed robberies of letter carriers, rising from 36 incidents in 2018 to 154 incidents in 2021.

Recognizing the need for safer conditions for delivery workers, mail carriers and delivery drivers in cities like Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, Phoenix, San Francisco, and others organized "Enough is Enough" rallies through the National Association of Letter Carriers. These rallies aimed to draw attention to the dangers faced by delivery workers on their routes.

One particular concern highlighted by the US Postal Inspection Service National Public Information Officer, Michael Martel, is the theft of "arrow keys" from postal workers. These keys, which can open most postal boxes, have become a hot commodity for thieves due to their ability to access financial documents, prescriptions, and other valuable items. Instructions on how to use and identify these keys have proliferated online, increasing the risk for postal workers. The keys reportedly hold significant value on the black market, fetching thousands of dollars.

In response to the escalating robberies and mail thefts, the USPIS introduced "Project Safe Delivery" in May of this year. The initiative included the installation of additional security features on over 10,000 mail collection boxes and the implementation of 6,500 electronic locks. Since May, the USPIS, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies across the country, has made 109 arrests for robberies and over 530 arrests for mail theft.

As the holiday season approaches, the risk of mail theft and robberies is expected to increase. Michael Martel emphasized that the Postal Service and Project Safe Delivery will remain vigilant in keeping American mail and employees safe during this time.

Despite these efforts, incidents continue to occur. Just this week, the US Postal Inspection Service arrested a 20-year-old named Devan Flax in connection with two armed robberies of USPS carriers in Chicago. Flax had allegedly robbed one letter carrier at gunpoint on Saturday and another on Tuesday, but was apprehended by authorities. Two stolen postal keys and the firearm used in the robberies were confiscated during the arrest. Flax now faces charges of armed robbery, aggravated robbery, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Other recent incidents involving delivery drivers have also garnered attention. In New Haven, Connecticut, an Amazon driver was held up by four carjackers, one of whom was armed. The armed assailant pointed his weapon at the driver and demanded that he enter the truck. The perpetrators then gathered the packages in the vehicle before fleeing the scene. Thankfully, the driver was unharmed but understandably shaken. In a separate incident in Colorado, a FedEx driver was shot by a carjacker. The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, and his stolen truck was later recovered by the police. No arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

Another incident in Chicago involved two gunmen robbing a FedEx driver in the Bucktown neighborhood. The delivery drivers were ordered to the ground, and the thieves transferred the packages from the truck to their silver Infiniti SUV. Police are investigating whether this incident is related to another carjacking incident involving masked gunmen in a black Jeep.

Delivery drivers from all major companies have become targets for criminals, prompting companies like FedEx to prioritize the safety of their team members and the security of customer shipments. They have implemented rigorous safety and security programs to protect their employees and customers' property.

The escalating number of incidents has drawn the attention of lawmakers. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) introduced the Postal Police Reform Act in response to the rise in postal crimes. This bipartisan legislation aims to expand the jurisdiction of Postal Police Officers beyond USPS property, allowing them to carry out arrests and operate offsite. Collins emphasized the urgent need to protect mail carriers and secure the entire postal system.

As the holiday season continues, it is crucial for authorities, delivery companies, and the public to remain vigilant and work together to ensure the safety and security of delivery drivers and the packages they transport.