Washington, D.C. - On Friday, Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) sent a follow-up letter to the United States Postal Service (USPS) regarding ongoing postal theft. In November, they had written to senior officials demanding answers on the steps being taken to combat and address postal theft in Galveston. In response to the original letter, the Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations acknowledged an increase in postal theft in Galveston. The USPS has been collaborating with local police to identify the thieves and raise awareness to protect Texans from being a victim of postal theft.

“It is alarming to hear that there were more than 200 documented cases of postal theft in Galveston alone in fiscal years (FY) 2021 and 2022,” the letter states. “Our aim is to restore the faith in our constituency that the United States Postal Service (USPS) is actively investigating and making necessary operational changes at all levels to fight postal theft.”

“We are encouraged to hear that culpable postal employees investigated by the USPS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) have been removed and are being prosecuted,” the letter continues. “We are also pleased to know that the USPS OIG is focusing on the greater Houston area as a part of a nationwide audit on postal theft concerns. We are hopeful that efforts will help deter future postal theft, while allocating to law enforcement the resources needed to combat these issues. Our offices stand ready to assist in stopping postal theft and other malign activity.”

“It is alarming that the rise of postal theft continues in Galveston County, and we will continue to press the USPS to address the concerns and provide transparency to our constituents,” said Rep. Weber. “The criminals who are targeting the collection box must be held accountable. I am hopeful that the USPS will get to the bottom of the postal theft and ensure our community no longer falls victim to postal theft.”

“The ongoing cases of postal theft in the Galveston area will not be tolerated," said Sen. Cruz. "Texans depend on our postal service system and I will continue to work with federal officials to make any necessary changes to prevent further theft and punish the offenders.”