At a loss over miscreants at post office boxes
I do not understand why patrons of the post office have to be exposed to this disgusting and unsafe environment.
EDITOR – When I went to Toti post office last Thursday afternoon to collect my mail, a heavily intoxicated and disgusting looking individual positioned himself between my car door and the next car, effectively blocking me in.
I banged on the window and gestured for him to move on, which he did, all of about two steps, so that I could open my door but my access to the pavement was still blocked. I then went around the back of my car in order to avoid him. On my return it was a question of who could move faster, him or me, before he again tried to block my way.
Today at 10am I again went to empty my mailbox and this time there were two incredibly intoxicated men, each smoking something right in the passage by the boxes. I hesitated at the entrance, as the thought of squeezing into that small space with those unsavoury characters did not appeal. One lurched at me and called out something, but I just turned and ran into the post office.
I asked the manager to please escort me to the boxes and to remove these disgusting people. He said he could not help because the boxes were not his responsibility, but that he would ask the people in charge of the boxes to do something. In the meantime the two miscreants stumbled off.
I do not understand why patrons of the post office have to be exposed to this disgusting and unsafe environment. It is obvious that this drug and drunken behaviour occurs at random times of the day, every day, and I somehow assumed that it would be the responsibility of the post office to keep the area clear of these people. Surely it is our right as citizens of this town to be able to use these facilities and to go about our daily business safely and without being harassed? However, according to an entry on the Toti Crime Facebook page, neither our ward 97 councillor, the post office management nor the police can or will do anything about this problem.
If the abovementioned bodies cannot do anything about it, then who can?
I am appealing to the community, the CCPO and security companies for help. I am a 60-year-old woman, and the person who lurched at me this morning looked as if he was going to grab me, whether for my handbag or to support himself, I do not know. I just do not understand why the public should be endangered and have to endure such horrible conditions. These drunken and drugged up lot are the trespassers here, not the legal box renters and post office users. This town needs to be rid of this lot once and for all.
Any ideas?
