To Avert Crisis, Brooklyn Postmaster Addresses Community Complaints

For decades, . Consistently lost or undelivered packages, mail delivered to the wrong address and rude tellers are just some of the problems reported over the years.

On Wednesday, the United States Postal Service took steps to try and correct those problems.

Brooklyn Postmaster Carmen Fede and other Postal Service representatives met with neighborhood residents at the Third Avenue on Wednesday to listen to complaints about service at the post office, located at 542 Atlantic Ave.

And there were many complaints.

“They recently stopped delivering mail to the YWCA, and when we went over to ask why, they said, ‘Well, it’s a new organization,'" said Martha Kamber, a YWCA representative. “We were established in 1888.”

“We would like to use your services, we would like to rely on you, and we can’t,” another frustrated member of the community said.

One of the ongoing problems faced by residents is package delivery – or, lack thereof. Many in the room had the same stories about little pink slips left on their door, saying that a package delivery was attempted, even if someone was home at the time.

“You left with 100 packages, but you came back with 87?” one resident asked, incredulously. “What did you do?"

The speakers took down specific information – names of rude workers and addresses – and stressed that although they would try to address the problems at the facility, residents should still call customer service to report any problems they had. Calls normally get to consumer affairs within a 24-hour period, and the local station should respond within 48 hours of the initial complaint.

But many in attendance weren't satisfied with that response.

“I’ve tried to call the post office on numerous occasions,” said one resident. “I was told I’d get a call back within X hours and X days, and I’ve never gotten a call back.”

Carol-Ann Church, a representative of Community Board 2 for the Brooklyn Postal Customer Advisory Council, said that if you’re having trouble getting a response, the board can help expedite your request.

“If you really feel you’re not getting anywhere, that two days have passed, you’re free to call our office,” Church said. “It’s not like you get lost in a mire. There is a way out.”

Residents stressed that mail carriers themselves weren’t a problem. Names like Stanley and Bing were met with approval from the crowd, and the carriers were universally recognized as helpful and courteous members of the Postal Service.

“That kind of energy would be great for the people behind the windows,” Boerum Hill Association President Howard Kolins said.

Problems with mail are shaping up to get worse all over the country. Earlier on Wednesday, Patrick Donahoe, the postmaster general, announced that in response to a reduction in mail volume, the Postal Service might have to cut Saturday service, and eventually might cut service to just three days a week.

The speakers addressed this, and said that “brick and mortar” facilities could also be shuttered in the coming years. But they feel that a move away from these facilities could help services: the Postal Service plans on partnering with stores like CVS or Wal-Mart to facilitate mail volume.

Fede listened to the crowd’s recommendations and took time after the meeting to speak with residents about their specific problems. Two weeks ago, before the meeting was planned, he made a visit to the Times Plaza facility and saw its problems firsthand.

“We try our hardest,” Fede said. “It’s not something that happens over night, but it’s not something that can’t be done.”

This isn’t the first meeting between the community and USPS representatives. In 2008, after protesting outside of the station, a similar townhall-style meeting took place. Some positive changes were made: expeditors were added for the Christmas season, and overall service improved, if briefly. Kolins, who was also part of that meeting, is optimistic that this dialogue could lead to further changes.

“I thought the meeting was useful,” Kolins said. “I think the objective was to get people to listen and establish some faces.”

Boerum Hill residents hope that this time service will improve permanently.

“They know our problems,” said neighborhood resident Anita Byrd. “They’ve just got to work on it.”