Children+Mailbox= Me not happpy

[Chase Mueller]

Y'all.. I need someone to try and break this down for me. I have a problem with my mailbox. Recently moved into a new home, and three times now, I've left for work, and my mailbox has been dented slightly and/or leaning badly/on the ground. I suspect kids, the neighborhood is full of them. I've even tried relocating it thinking maybe the hole was just worn, but it didn't work. I heard rumors from the neighbor that it's happened to others but seems very random, and I'm certain I haven't done something to rub someone the wrong way, we keep to ourselves, keep the noise down, and I maintain the yard. All this points to a child or children with a bat or something, at least in my eyes. SO, my question is, why in the he-double-hockey-sticks is it illegal for me to reinforce my mailbox as heavily as I see fit? I read somewhere there have been lawsuits against homeowners about people getting hurt while trying to destroy someone's mailbox, and these people damaging someone else's property are actually winning. I. Don't. Get it. How does that make sense? Can anyone explain that to me? Really scratching my head on this one.

[Bob Bouis]

Because if someone drives into your mailbox accidentally you want it to break instead of them.

[Mel Fulks]

Bob is right and there are specific and lengthy specifications on line.

[Chase Mueller]

Is it not technically my property that the hypothetical crash occurs on though..?
Still begs the question how someone can be held liable for injuries when the injured party was, essentially, vandalizing.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Get a security camera and turn the video over to the cops.

[Chase Mueller]

Get a security camera and turn the video over to the cops.

That's what I'm trying to do. I have limited funds since my SO lost her job due to medical issues. So I'm working with what I got. I think I have an older model GO Pro laying around somewhere that I want to set up.

[Mel Fulks]

[QUOTE=Chase Mueller;2802030]Is it not technically my property that the hypothetical crash occurs on though..?

Most likely the mail box is in the "public right of way". Most places require you to maintain it.

[Lee Schierer]

We have had that problem periodically where we live. It seems to be something bored high school kids do for entertainment. The kids don't even know you so likely you didn't do anything except move into the neighbor hood. Your only recourse is to see who is doing it, follow them home and speak with their parents. It is even better if you can photograph them. The police won't do anything with out positive proof. A neighbor just down the road obtained a piece of 12" well casing and put his mail box inside it mounted on a wooden post. If a car hits it the post will break, but it is likely the mailbox will survive.

You can legally purchase heavy duty mail boxes at any big box store that is made with significantly heavier steel. They are approved by the post office. You can also mount it on a pivoting support soo it will swing out of the way if hit by a snowplow or baseball bat.

[Bob Bouis]

Is it not technically my property that the hypothetical crash occurs on though..?
Still begs the question how someone can be held liable for injuries when the injured party was, essentially, vandalizing.

It may be on your property, but you have to play by the post office's rules if you want them to deliver mail to it. The mailbox is also probably close enough to the road that it's subject the county/city/state/whatever easement for the road. And that's just from the property rights perspective -- the government generally doesn't think it needs a justification to tell you what you can do on your own property.

As far as injuring vandals, I'm not sure about that but as a general rule you can't set booby traps for trespassers. It's just a value judgment that human life and health is worth more than property.

[Chase Mueller]

Gotcha, thanks Mel

[Chase Mueller]

Guess I'm just a piece of human garbage then. No sympathy for anyone who gets injured while committing a crime.

[Chase Mueller]

I figure reinforcing the box would be fine, so long as no one gets injured, I just don't want to gamble on an if like that.
I'm hoping I can put a stop to this with minimal blood in the water, but disrespecting me like that is a real good way to get on my bad side.

[Bob Bouis]

I generally agree with you, but this isn't the right hill to die on. I know it's frustrating, but replacing your mailbox now and then is just not that big of a deal.

[Todd Mason-Darnell]

It is not illegal to reinforce your mailbox here--so long as you are compliant to US Postal codes. It is very common to see a brick housing built around a mail box or in more rural areas for a well pipe fence built around it.

[Jim Becker]

Get a security camera and turn the video over to the cops.

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