WASHINGTON, DC – In response to the troubling increase in violent crimes targeting America’s mail carriers, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-1) have introduced the Protect Our Letter Carriers Act—bipartisan legislation that aims to strengthen the safety and security of Postal Service workers by modernizing infrastructure, enhancing prosecutorial efforts, and updating sentencing guidelines to deter these serious offenses.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office reports that robberies of letter carriers increased nearly sevenfold from 2019 to 2023. These robberies have increasingly involved firearms and targeted universal keys, often referred to as “arrow keys,” which our letter carrier uses to access mailboxes. Theft of these keys allows criminals to have greater access to a variety of mailboxes, which allows them to increase the scope of their unlawful actions.
Answering the Call to Action
The Protect Our Letter Carriers Act takes immediate action to safeguard our letter carriers by:
- Modernizing Infrastructure – Introducing high-security collection boxes and replacing arrow keys with more secure electronic alternatives.
- Enhancing Prosecution – Creating a position within every U.S. Attorney’s office to oversee and expedite investigations into crimes against letter carriers.
- Updating Sentencing Guidelines – Strengthening penalties for criminals convicted of assault or robbery against a letter carrier.
“The continued surge in robberies and violent assaults against our dedicated letter carriers is a national disgrace, and Congress can no longer afford to delay action,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “Just last month, a postal manager in New York was brutally attacked while carrying out her duties—a chilling reminder of the constant dangers these essential workers face. Protecting the men and women who serve our communities tirelessly, rain or shine, is non-negotiable. That’s why I am continuing the fight to secure the resources needed to ensure their safety and to hold violent offenders fully accountable under the law. Our letter carriers deserve nothing less than our unwavering support and the strongest protections we can provide.”
“Our letter carriers and postal workers do so much for us, and we have to keep them safe – our bipartisan bill does that,” said Rep. Landsman. “We have to get this passed, for them and the communities and families they serve.”
The bill has received strong backing from key organizations, including the Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) and National Rural Letter Carriers' Association (NRCLA):
“NALC appreciates Rep. Fitzpatrick and Rep. Landsman’s continued leadership on this critical issue that is so important to letter carriers and every community we serve,” said NALC President Brian L. Renfroe. “Any assault against a letter carrier is one too many. Far too many of the dedicated public servants we represent have been victims of these heinous crimes. Americans in every congressional district depend on the essential service letter carriers provide. I urge Congress to help protect letter carriers by passing this bill.”
“On behalf of the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (NRLCA), I want to express our sincere gratitude to Congressman Fitzpatrick and Congressman Landsman for introducing the Protect Our Letter Carriers Act. Our rural letter carriers do far more than deliver mail—they serve as essential links that connect families, businesses, and communities across America. When criminals target our letter carriers, they don’t just endanger the lives of our hard working members; they undermine the safety, security, and trust that bind our entire community together. The NRLCA proudly supports this bipartisan legislation, which modernizes outdated equipment, deters crime by imposing tougher penalties for offenses against postal employees, and designates a dedicated assistant U.S. attorney to prosecute these crimes. Protecting our letter carriers means protecting the heart of our community—swift action is critical to ensure that no one is left vulnerable,” said NRCLA President Don Maston.
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