Mail delays have been causing a great deal of frustration for residents in the Kansas City area for several months. The problem has become so significant that it has garnered the attention of both state and federal officials.
In August, the Office of the Inspector General conducted an audit that suggested conducting staffing evaluations and implementing a plan to ensure accurate reporting of mail.
Residents of the Verona Hills Neighborhood in south Kansas City, Missouri, are currently facing frustrations that go beyond the usual delayed mail service.
Ann Hunt and her neighbors have not seen a mail carrier in over a month.
Hunt mentioned that they have to make a trip to the Martin City Post Office to collect their mail. While it’s not a major inconvenience, they shared that the wait time at the post office is usually quite long.
The Verona Hills Homes Association hired a contractor to address maintenance and theft issues by installing approximately 30 new units for hundreds of homes.
The installation took place in March. According to the HOA, they have been making efforts to have USPS distribute the keys to the neighborhood, but so far, there has been little progress.
Kevin Hills, president of the Verona Hills Homes Association, expressed frustration about the inconvenience faced by people who travel a distance of two to three miles to Martin City. According to Hills, upon arrival, individuals have to deal with longer lines due to staffing issues and other factors.
Fallon acknowledged that the post office may face difficulties in expediting the process due to staffing levels. He is aware of cases where neighbors have encountered mix-ups when picking up their mail.
According to USPS, they have stated that they will prioritize the installation of locks and the distribution of keys to homeowners, ensuring a swift process. Furthermore, they took immediate action by visiting the neighborhood on the same afternoon to label cluster boxes accordingly.
Fallon expressed optimism, stating that the sight of him opening the box and verifying the keys is a significant step forward. This development offers hope as it indicates progress and movement in the right direction.
The Hunter family has been living in Verona Hills for 28 years and they continue to enjoy the neighborhood. However, they are also looking forward to the day when they can once again walk down their driveway to retrieve their mail.
Hunter expressed his curiosity about the delay, saying, “I would simply like to understand the reason for the delay.”
