Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Mail crime harmful to seniors

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, July 3, 2003 | 8:35 a.m.

Forty years ago the U.S. Post Office Department implemented the five-digit zoning plan or ZIP code to better handle and protect the huge amount of mail processed daily. Today the U.S. Postal Service delivers some 200 billion pieces annually.

Getting the ZIP code department up and running was fairly easy. Much more difficult is an activity that has postal authorities clueless -- the theft of mail from neighborhood mailboxes.

The crime is especially rampant in senior communities; thieves break into both outgoing and incoming mail. Through a rather uncomplicated process, they are able to alter checks and change the names of payees.

I don't know just how it is done, but it is quite remunerative to the culprits and financially disastrous to their victims.

Petitions are being readied for Nevada's congressional delegation, and the Postal Service is aware of the crimes, but the consensus is that there is no solution on the horizon.

One neighborhood has sealed all outgoing mail outlets and encouraged residents to drop mail in more secure locations.

When a problem exists for a long time, it can't be solved overnight. It appears the federal government finally has put together a program to control unwanted phone callers or telemarketing.

It's quite simple. Visit the government website at donotcall.gov and provide the phone number you want protected.

A toll-free number, (888) 382-1222, can also be used. The call must be made from the number you want registered.

It's a great idea -- and a long time coming. The only hitch is getting through, as thousands of website visits and phone calls are being registered every hour. Patience should eliminate the problem of getting through the registration process.

Through the years there have been some interesting "characters" reporting for the Sun.

One such was author Ed Reid -- not a person to be easily forgotten.

Besides being the author of books and articles on the Mafia, Reid held the distinction of being barred from the state legislature for some scathing articles he wrote.

Imagine the joy he would have had covering the current session.

Reid died several years ago. Recently a film company became interested in making a movie of one of his books. The problem they face is finding surviving relatives with whom they might negotiate.

Friday we will be celebrating the birth of the greatest nation on earth. The United States faces rough days ahead -- perhaps as significant as any time in our history. We have persevered before. We will do it again in spite of the bungling of the current administration.

With our "victorious" military suffering daily losses, increased activity by opposing forces, erosion of our role in world politics and former allies becoming our loudest critics, we've a long way to go.

In spite of it all, have a happy and safe Fourth of July.