KXXV-TV News Channel 25 - Central Texas News and Weather for Waco, Temple, Killeen | Postal carriers help curb crime

Postal carriers help curb crime

By Eric Gemmell

WACO - Carriers with the United States Postal Service do more than deliver mail, in some cases they are often tagged as the unofficial neighborhood watchmen on their routes.

Tom Day, who's been a carrier for more than a decade said, "We are part of the neighborhood in every neighborhood in Waco, Texas."  He said taking a small break on his route in Woodway.

Day added, it's almost impossible for him or other carriers to miss something suspicious in the neighborhood.

"We notice anything out of place,"

He's reported suspicious cars to police.  "We write down license plate numbers," said Day.

He's helped police track down vandals who broke into cars and in some cases helped families find lost loved ones.

"I've had three incidents were I've gotten three seniors back home."

Carrier Brandon Brennar witnessed a car accident last year and helped save a life.

"I put the mail down, went over there to assist, cut the girl's seatbelt and got her out of the car," said Brennar outside of Tom's Hamburgers on Sanger Avenue in Waco.

Then there is this story - one carrier in the Bellmead area hadn't seen a postal customer for three days, she fell broke her hip and was trapped in her house.

"He was able to go in - call an ambulance and her family.  It was a good story after that," said Teresa Myers, USPS Customer Service representative.

USPS told News Channel 25 police departments often tap carriers to help them report any suspicious activities to them.