The next time you post a letter, you may notice a change in your local mailbox.
Come September, Canada Post will be installing anti-pry hardening devices to community mailboxes on the Sunshine Coast. The devices are a preventative measure to help combat mailbox vandalism and mail theft.
Colleen Frick, communications director for Canada Post, said the anti-pry kits are being installed in areas where the Crown corporation has seen criminal activity.
"So far, the kits have been installed only in B.C. where there are more mailbox break-ins compared to the rest of the country," Frick said. "Gibsons and Sechelt don't experience extremely high mail theft compared to some urban areas in B.C., but somewhat more mail theft than in other provinces."
Frick said the devices make it more difficult for thieves to break in to mailboxes.
"On their own, community mailboxes are very sturdy and secure pieces of street furniture," she said. "Unfortunately we are dealing with vandals who may decide to forcefully attempt to break in to our equipment, just like they do cars and houses."
According to Frick, theft from community mailboxes has been lowered dramatically in communities where anti-pry devices have been installed.
"However, the anti-pry kit is not foolproof," conceded Frick. "It won't stop culprits who are really determined to break the law."
Canada Post plans to install the kits on 436 community mailbox modules in Sechelt and 462 in Gibsons. The rest of Canada will also see gradual implementation.
While the majority of community mailboxes will be fortified with the devices, the older-generation green boxes will remain untouched as Canada Post plans to replace them with modern ones.
While anti-pry devices will act as a possible deterrent to criminals, Frick stressed the importance of Canada Post customers keeping their mail and mailboxes secure.
"We encourage our customers to pick up their mail as soon after delivery as possible and to report any suspicious activity around our equipment to the police immediately," she said.
