Removed and/or replaced USPS dropboxes in Portland, Oregon
| Tracking # |
2022-FPRO-00992 2022-FPRO-00716 |
| Submitted | Aug. 14, 2020 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: tedder
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
Any records or communication related to reduction or replacement of postal mail dropboxes ("blue boxes") in Portland, Oregon. This occurred in August 2020, but please search records from March 2020 until the date this request is acted upon. Per KOIN (link below), USPS spokesperson David Rupert said no mailbox locations were being removed. Since some have been removed, records indicating the reason (eg upgraded box, and date of targeted installation) will be helpful. USPS spokesperson Ernie Swanson said something similar to Oregonian.
I believe the information was unintentionally inaccurate, that locations have been removed to reduce the density of mailboxes. This has been confirmed through local postal sources. I don't believe there's anything nefarious going on, but I would like to see communications and assume there is a list or spreadsheet with locations being removed.
If it helps to spot-check locations, here are places where boxes are confirmed missing:
* 3805 SE Belmont, visible in 2019 Streetview and still listed on USPS today (Aug 2020), but confirmed removed today: https://j.mp/3aoxXE8
* approx 1513 SE Maple, Portland OR, visible in Google Streetview in 2019 Streetview, not listed on USPS today but confirmed removed today: https://j.mp/31MFLMc
Here are the stories, dated Aug 13 2020. I believe they are not perfectly accurate based on miscommunication.
https://www.koin.com/news/usps-responds-to-viral-photo-of-mailboxes-removed-in-portland/
https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/08/usps-removes-mailboxes-in-portland-and-eugene-cites-declining-mail-volume.html
https://www.wweek.com/news/2020/08/13/united-states-postal-service-confirmed-it-has-removed-mailboxes-in-portland-and-eugene/
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Ted Timmons
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 14, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 14, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 14, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 14, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 14, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 14, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 14, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 14, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 14, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 14, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 14, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 14, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 14, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 14, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 14, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 14, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 14, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: United States Postal Service
Good morning,
Could you please provide the tracking number for the attached request you are referring to? Our office will provide an update once you provide this number.
Thank you,
Privacy and Records Management Office
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) / Privacy Act (PA)
-
A790e5647-6032-4b1f-be16-6df97a756b20
From: tedder
Hi, I don't believe there was ever a response with a texting number.
From: United States Postal Service
We will enter your request in our database. You will receive a tracking number for your request momentarily.
Thank you,
Privacy and Records Management
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) / Privacy Act (PA
From: United States Postal Service
Goodmorning, Pleasesee the attached acknowledgement correspondence pertaining to your FOIARequest, no. 2022-FPRO-00716. Should you have any questions, you mayreach us by email at foia12@usps.gov or via FOIA Hotline by calling 202-268-2608 andleaving a message. Your call will be returned at our earliest convenience. Thankyou, Privacyand Records Management Office Freedomof Information Act (FOIA) Dueto the precautions taken as a result of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, work inour office has come to a halt and we are conducting work from home. Thisalso means that we are no longer able to mail correspondence regardingyour FOIA/PA request at this time. All correspondence from our office is beingdone by way of email communication.
From: United States Postal Service
Goodmorning, Pleasesee the attached correspondence requesting clarification of your FOIA Request,no. 202 2-FPRO-00716. Should you haveany questions, you may reach us by email at foia12@usps.gov Thankyou , Tai Thompson Privacyand Records Management Office Freedomof Information Act (FOIA) Dueto the precautions taken as a result of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, work inour office has come to a halt and we are conducting work from home. Thisalso means that we are no longer able to mail correspondence regardingyour FOIA/PA request at this time. All correspondence from our office isbeing done by way of email communication. Pleasenote that the foia12@usps.gov (mailto:foia12@usps.gov) email address is notmaintained by a single person, but rather, the entire FOIA department.
From: tedder
FOIA
RE: FOIA Case No. 2022-FPRO-00716
To Privacy and Records Management:
To clarify, I am requesting any and all records and communication related to the reduction or removal of postal mail drop boxes beginning March 2020, specifically in Portland, Oregon, or in other terms, the following zip codes: 97201, 97202, 97203, 97204, 97205, 97206, 97209, 97210, 97211, 97212, 97213, 97214, 97215, 97216, 97217, 97218, 97219, 97220, 97221, 97222, 97223, 97225, 97227, 97229, 97230, 97231, 97232, 97233, 97236, 97239, 97266
If this can be addressed with a single record type (for instance, "repair requests" or maintenance requests of some form), that fills my request. I don't know what these records are called internally and am doing my best to reasonably describe the type of record that might exist. Quoting from the Justice Department's OIP guidance
I understand that it may take some time and greatly appreciate the work of the Privacy and Records management staff. I look forward to reviewing the results.
Sincerely,
Ted Timmons
From: United States Postal Service
Goodmorning, Pleasesee the attached acknowledgement correspondence pertaining to your FOIARequest, no. 2022-FPRO-00992. Should you have any questions, you mayreach us by email at foia12@usps.gov or via FOIA Hotline by calling 202-268-2608 andleaving a message. Your call will be returned at our earliest convenience. Thankyou, Privacyand Records Management Office Freedomof Information Act (FOIA) Dueto the precautions taken as a result of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, work inour office has come to a halt and we are conducting work from home. Thisalso means that we are no longer able to mail correspondence regardingyour FOIA/PA request at this time. All correspondence from our office isbeing done by way of email communication.
From: United States Postal Service
Mr.Timmons Please see the attached responseregarding the above-mentioned case. Due to the precautions taken as a result ofthe recent COVID-19 pandemic, work in the office has come to a halt and we are now conducting work fromhome. This also means that we are no longer ableto mail correspondence to your FOIA/PA request at this time. Currently,all correspondence from our office will be done by way of emailcommunication. However, we are continuing towork diligently to provide you with a timely response and we thank you for yourcooperation during this time. Should you haveany questions, please contact the USPS FOIA REQUESTER SERVICECENTER-FIELD at 314-345-5894or by email at foiapafield@usps.gov . Thank you, Dannielle Mungo Government Information Specialist
From: tedder
Hi. I'm trying to request a scope that is not too broad.
The overall request is "orders for removal or replacement of [blue] mailboxes in Portland, Oregon". The emphasis of "any and all" should be on "any".
Let's take one very specific example. A blue mailbox at 3800 SE Belmont St was removed in August 2020. It was replaced (returned). Is there a maintenance request or any (not all) "ticket" or tracking for this?
A second known location is 1513 SE Maple Ave (or 15xx SE Maple, or SE Maple & Hawthorne). It was removed in August 2020. Is there some form of documentation calling for its removal? Not necessarily a deliberation, simply a reference to an address and a disposition.
For a third example, using this August 2020 story from Willamette Week:
https://www.wweek.com/news/2020/08/13/united-states-postal-service-confirmed-it-has-removed-mailboxes-in-portland-and-eugene/
A USPS spokesman said four blue mailboxes were removed "this week", meaning between August 1 2020 and August 13 2020. Is there a tracking, ticket, request, or some sort of correspondence for four blue boxes removed from Portland, Oregon? Is there an inventory showing all USPS boxes in Portland, Oregon and the inventory somehow mentions which ones are removed?
That's what I'm looking for. I don't know what system USPS uses internally, but somehow a truck showed up at four locations between August 1 2020 and August 13 2020 based on a request from USPS. Please, if "request" or "ticket" isn't the right terminology, I'm trying my best to describe some form of maintenance record that must exist for this.
From: United States Postal Service
Good morning,
Thanks for responding. Regarding the records or communications, “Any” still does not allow us to begin searching for records because your description is not definitive. If you are requesting emails, you have to state that you are requesting emails and also state from whom the emails are between or “to” or “From” and also include keywords. You can visit USPS.com to look at the USPS leadership chart to best determine that information.
Per your clarification, you are also requesting maintenance requests for removal and/or replacement of the blue mailboxes in Portland, OR with the date range of record search as 8/1-20/2020?
Thanks,
Dannielle S. Mungo
Government Information Specialist
United States Postal Service
(202)-491-3018
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image001
From: tedder
Hi. What I'm trying to do is find a record that shows collection boxes (blue boxes) that were removed or serviced. I know I said "communication" initially, but I don't care to find discussion (communication) surrounding it. I'm just trying to find the maintenance requests themselves.
I'd like a time period beginning March 2020, but I think a sample of what I'm looking for should be found 8/1/2020-8/20/2020 with the examples I gave. If those can easily be found, a larger set of records should be easy to find with the same logic.
Are there maintenance records (or removal records) in the Collection Point Management System? If so, that might fulfill the request.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 14, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #2022-FPRO-00992.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 14, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #2022-FPRO-00992.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: United States Postal Service
Good morning,
Thank you for your email. You were sent a letter on February 28, 2022, via email, indicating that clarification was needed no later than March 20, 2022. As you can see from your email thread below, you did not get back to me until March 24, 2022. I closed the case out on March 22, 2022 because I did not receive the clarification needed in order to further process your request.
You may submit a new FOIA Request.
Thank you,
Dannielle S. Mungo
Government Information Specialist
United States Postal Service
(202)-491-3018