ST. LOUIS — South City residents are demanding answers from the United States Postal Service as they go weeks without mail delivery.
The Office of Inspector General's U.S. Postal Service's Latest Audit Report for 2023 reveals the turnover rate for employees has risen from 38% in 2019 to 59% in the last year.
Through NextDoor Mail Delayed posts residents have banned together.
Caitlin Lorentz said she's only received one piece of mail since moving to her Lindenwood Park home in September. She has the Postal Service app on her phone that tracks delays.
"It's not the fault of the postal workers ... I'm a teacher myself ... they're probably trying to do what they can without the resources," Lorentz said.
Ancel Branch lives in south St. Louis' Shaw neighborhood and said not having mail is an issue. When mail is delivered, it's all shoved into her box for all the units in her building. She has also used the Postal Service app on her phone and filled out a form about delayed mail.
"It's been pushing almost two weeks now, which is super stressful because we need our mail," Branch said.
"We've been talking about it as neighbors and it's just been weird that our mail hasn't been coming. Thankfully, I'm not expecting anything serious, but I know that some of the back apartment neighbors have been expecting mail," Branch said.
On the same street, Jill Miller said delayed mail is also affecting her.
"Even if it were every other day, that would be so much better than going two straight weeks without mail," Miller said.
She took it one step further and filed a complaint with the Postal Service. Miller and other residents said they want answers and resolutions.
"When I called, I was told that they have a staffing shortage. I asked what [could] be done about that and the woman I spoke to said everybody's short-staffed — that the whole world is short-staffed. It really wasn't a solution offered — it was just stating a fact," Miller said.
5 On Your Side reached out to the Postal Service and they provided the following statement:
The Postal Service is committed to providing the best possible service to our customers and we apologize for any inconvenience they may have experienced. Local management is aware of delivery issues and addresses the concerns. Additional employees are assisting to help deliver the mail. We appreciate the patience of our customers as we work to restore normal mail delivery service. For any further service-related inquiries, customers can go to www.usps.com and click on “Contact us” at the bottom of our homepage or utilize this direct web address: https://usps.force.com/emailus/s/. The Postal Service is also currently hiring for the upcoming holiday season. Interested applicants can get more information at www.usps.com/careers.