Police report?

[JFT]

Hey everyone,

Had a very very tough day. I had a parcel that was just barely too big to fit it the box and had to deliver to the door. I’d never been to this house before and was literally thinking on my way to the driveway, “ I like exploring new houses I’ve never delivered to”. So wrong!!!!

I pulled into the driveway, honked once, checked for dogs, then dismounted with parcel in hand. I was about 3/4 of the way to the door when a man walked out and greeted me with a smile and a hello. The moment I attempted to hand him the package, he threw up his hands, began yelling profanities over and over, and his whole demeanor changed. I thought maybe he was autistic as they sometimes don’t like eye contact and being handed things so I just left the parcel in a nearby table, said I’m sorry have a nice day , and quickly walked back to my truck, got in, and closed the door. He continued screaming profanities at me and then started screaming for me to show him my badge because I had no uniform. I was just going to leave when he ran across his lawn and approached my vehicle asking for my badge. I was already so startled so I let him see my badge and then he reached into the truck and grabbed it still attached to my shirt! I kept telling him to let go of my badge and he just kept screaming at me that the picture wasn’t me and if I was really a postal employee I’d “have a uniform”. He then started reading my badge out loud word for word and I didnt know what to do to make him let go so I just said that I could show him that my license says the same name. I regret doing so but it did get him to let my badge go only problem was now when I showed him my drivers license he reached in and grabbed it! At that point, I was going to do whatever was necessary to get the F$&K out of that driveway. I tried to grab my ID back and he just held it tighter so I told him I was going to call the police. That got him to finally let go of my ID and as soon as I had it I backed the hell up and left. I immediately called my supervisor who mentioned possibly alerting the police and said it was ok for me to take some time as I was very shaken up.

I spent the rest of my route in tears off and on but I delivered it all! I wrote a statement for my supervisor which I took photos of with my phone and he asked if I wanted to file a police report and I said no at the moment but now I’m thinking I want to. I need to know what will happen if I do. I’m still in my probation and I don’t want to get fired for this. I realize I made some errors during the incident. I will surely do things differently now but doesn’t fix what already transpired.

Any info would be great. I’m pretty surprised at how upset I was and still am over the whole thing. Seems someone should cage their vicious animals!!! At least with dogs I know what to expect!

Worst part about the whole thing.... I was making my best time yet and because I spent a considerable amount of time on the phone after the incident talking to my husband and regular carrier, I was an hour later then I would have been! Damn asshole!

Thanks for letting me vent

 

[JFT]

Did I mention he asked where my uniform was at least 5 times? I think I should buy a USPS shirt or something. What do you all think?

 

[DB.Cooper]

California, eh... I've heard there's a lot of nut cases there... guess I heard right... ?

 

[JFT]

California, eh... I've heard there's a lot of nut cases there... guess I heard right... ?

If you only knew. My husband and I want to leave this state for so many reasons. I’ll just add this to the growing list!

 

[Rt2mailman]

Yes you should file, but not with the police, with the OIG, (your PM should have known this). The postal inspectors will go out and talk to this "nice gentleman", and they won't have on uniforms either, but they will have on guns. They will explain that what he did was a federal offense and if it happens again he will be in jail for it. He will never bother you again, and his neighbors will be nicer to you also.
By the way, welcome to the USPS.

 

[Deer Smearer]

Dog spray him, roll the window up with his arm in it, and drag his ass to the police.

 

[blamethesub]

JFT - I'm glad you got out of this situation uninjured. I think you're dealing with someone with some serious mental issues. Have a talk with the regular carrier for this route. See if there's a history with this man, and how the regular deals with him. It's up to you whether or not you involve the police. It may not do much good if the guy has a reputation locally. Either way, I would say notify anything from now on that won't fit in the box or would require a signature. You don't have to put yourself in a dangerous situation.

No way you get fired over this. You did nothing wrong.

 

[DB.Cooper]

In a LLV to boot... that's just too crazy... ?

 

[MrMagoo]

He thought you were impersonating a Postal Employee?
Did he think the LLV you were driving was impersonating a POS ?

 

[btdtret]

JFT -- [ irate customer ]

-- REPORT the incident to the post master / supervisor. ( should have done that while still in the vehicle in the driveway )

-- This weekend, carefully put pen to paper and record EVERYTHING that happened -- in GREAT detail.

-- By reaching into the vehicle and grabbing your badge which was attached to your shirt - that is probably simple assault ( anyone ? )

-- Has anyone had a similar experience with this customer? A regular or another RCA?

-- Respectfully request the PM discontinue mail service to this customer until the legal end is straightened out.

-- Give the local police a call and request you'd like to file a report. Describe the incident and ask what charges could be filed on the customer.

-- It is bad enough getting insulted by manglement, but by a customer, that is unwarranted.

-- Rural carriers do not have a uniform allowance and as such are "prohibited" from wearing uniform items that a city carrier might wear.

-- At my last post office, a uniform sales person set up "shop" on the loading dock and rural's bought ball caps and shoes.

-- Rural's also wore city carrier hand-me-down shirts and shorts from retiring city carriers. Either manglement didn't know or didn't care.

-- Ball caps are not that expensive, so get one if you can.

-- PS -- your badge is sufficient. Better you show it than to have someone grab it though.

-- Ask the PM or supervisor to pay the customer a visit and try to explain that rural carriers do not have to wear postal uniforms and sometimes use a personal vehicle to deliver mail ( and that if there is ever another incident, come to the post office to get ALL the mail )

-- Apparently the customer gets the news about "porch pirates" from the TV. All you mentioned was "truck". Apparently you had a POV because if the customer can't recognize a postal LLV, there is not much hope for him. Did the customer think you took the LLV?

-- Take a DEEP breath ( several in fact ) and be glad you'll be better prepared on how to deal with an irate customer.

-- PS -- dog spray works on people too!

 

[callofthewild]

They just can't train us for everything that we will encounter on the mail routes. I think you handled it very well considering.

I would NEVER go into this man's personal property again for any reason......we have to trust when we go into a property that our safety will not be in peril.........I would never be able to trust this man again. If you think about it you were totally at his mercy with NO protection. I would have used my dog spray on him....then called the police. Your PM should really consider suspending mail service until this man has been talked to.

 

[JFT]

He thought you were impersonating a Postal Employee?
Did he think the LLV you were driving was impersonating a POS ?

Right!?!

 

[JFT]

JFT -- [ irate customer ]

-- REPORT the incident to the post master / supervisor. ( should have done that while still in the vehicle in the driveway )

-- This weekend, carefully put pen to paper and record EVERYTHING that happened -- in GREAT detail.

-- By reaching into the vehicle and grabbing your badge which was attached to your shirt - that is probably simple assault ( anyone ? )

-- Has anyone had a similar experience with this customer? A regular or another RCA?

-- Respectfully request the PM discontinue mail service to this customer until the legal end is straightened out.

-- Give the local police a call and request you'd like to file a report. Describe the incident and ask what charges could be filed on the customer.

-- It is bad enough getting insulted by manglement, but by a customer, that is unwarranted.

-- Rural carriers do not have a uniform allowance and as such are "prohibited" from wearing uniform items that a city carrier might wear.

-- At my last post office, a uniform sales person set up "shop" on the loading dock and rural's bought ball caps and shoes.

-- Rural's also wore city carrier hand-me-down shirts and shorts from retiring city carriers. Either manglement didn't know or didn't care.

-- Ball caps are not that expensive, so get one if you can.

-- PS -- your badge is sufficient. Better you show it than to have someone grab it though.

-- Ask the PM or supervisor to pay the customer a visit and try to explain that rural carriers do not have to wear postal uniforms and sometimes use a personal vehicle to deliver mail ( and that if there is ever another incident, come to the post office to get ALL the mail )

-- Apparently the customer gets the news about "porch pirates" from the TV. All you mentioned was "truck". Apparently you had a POV because if the customer can't recognize a postal LLV, there is not much hope for him. Did the customer think you took the LLV?

-- Take a DEEP breath ( several in fact ) and be glad you'll be better prepared on how to deal with an irate customer.

-- PS -- dog spray works on people too!

I did give a written statement to the supervisor and took photos for my records. Im interested in what my PM will say on Monday. I’ll be giving him a call.

 

[ABCya]

Make sure if you are in a POV it is ALWAYS identifiable with magnets, etc. NEVER show drivers license or anything with your address on it. This is another reason to keep doors not being used locked.
And once his hand crossed over into your vehicle, that was a threat to your personal safety. It may sound extreme, but stuff happens.
We may not be able to carry a typical weapon, but there are plenty of other equalizers out there. Long handle screwdrivers, pens, scissors, dog spray, hornet spray, our scanner....
911 is quicker than OIG. But call them too.
Safety first. I've had to call the police a few times myself.

 

[JFT]

They just can't train us for everything that we will encounter on the mail routes. I think you handled it very well considering.

I would NEVER go into this man's personal property again for any reason......we have to trust when we go into a property that our safety will not be in peril.........I would never be able to trust this man again. If you think about it you were totally at his mercy with NO protection. I would have used my dog spray on him....then called the police. Your PM should really consider suspending mail service until this man has been talked to.

Yes you should file, but not with the police, with the OIG, (your PM should have known this). The postal inspectors will go out and talk to this "nice gentleman", and they won't have on uniforms either, but they will have on guns. They will explain that what he did was a federal offense and if it happens again he will be in jail for it. He will never bother you again, and his neighbors will be nicer to you also.
By the way, welcome to the USPS.

PM hadn’t heard about what happened before I left the office for the day. The supervisor called him but hadn’t heard back yet. I’m going to call on Monday and see what he says. I’m hoping he’ll already have started this process. If not, I’ll have to mention OIG to him. Thanks for your input.

 

[JFT]

Make sure if you are in a POV it is ALWAYS identifiable with magnets, etc. NEVER show drivers license or anything with your address on it. This is another reason to keep doors not being used locked.
And once his hand crossed over into your vehicle, that was a threat to your personal safety. It may sound extreme, but stuff happens.
We may not be able to carry a typical weapon, but there are plenty of other equalizers out there. Long handle screwdrivers, pens, scissors, dog spray, hornet spray, our scanner....
911 is quicker than OIG. But call them too.
Safety first. I've had to call the police a few times myself.

Thanks. I was in a big ass LLV! Still didn’t believe I was a postal worker. ???‍ I will be prepared to use force next time. Hopefully there won’t be one though!

 

[muttleycrue]

Every route probably has its nutjob who crosses the line from eccentric to possibly dangerous. You seem to have met yours.

I'm impressed that you were able to finish the route. That is an accomplishment.

I will second, third, fourth .... what others have said - no way no how would I ever go on that man's property again. If he gets mail at all it will be to the mailbox only.

 

[btdtret]

JFT -- Weekend assignment:

-- Google: "simple assault" and include your state. States have different meanings / requirements for such a term.

-- In an LLV -- really have to wonder about the state of mind of that customer.

Per "muttleycrue's" -- " If he gets mail at all it will be to the mailbox only. "

-- The customer has shown no fear in reaching inside a government vehicle and touching a government employee.

-- Apparently no guarantee he would not rush from the house or yard and do it again.

-- You'd certainly feel justified in saying that anytime you see that person, you feel threatened because of his past actions and fear for your safety.

-- Let him come to the post office to get his mail from now on. ( JMHO )

-- Use "wasp spray" instead of dog spray as the wasp spray goes out a lot further ( 18 ft in some ads )!

 

[eomr]

Sorry for your problem. Yes, you should get the postal inspectors involved because your safety was in jeopardy.
I always thought that the Postal Service should supply rurals with a vest that says Rural Carrier on one side and Postal Service on the other. Before 9/11 we weren't required to wear our IDs. I went up to a house for a signature. A young woman came to the door with a small child. The child asked "Mommy, who's that?" Something should be provided to let the public know who you are. And good job finishing the route under those circumstances.

 

[DB.Cooper]

The nut job will likely have some other whacked out version of the events... maybe there were cameras in the area that authorities can check tho...

I believe it is some sort of crime for peeps to interfere with a postal employee delivering the mail... not to mention, you can't just go up and start hassling anybody on the street without any good reason...