The case of the missing Greenwich Village mailboxes — and trash baskets, too

BY ALEC PRUCHNICKI | The recent loss of the mailbox in front of the U.S. Postal Service substation on Hudson Street is not unique, with more mailboxes around the neighborhood being closed with a large red lock and “Do Not Use” notice. This makes it harder to mail personal mail unless you actually go to the post office.

Why is this happening?

I’ve spoken to several postal employees and called into the U.S.P.S. emergency number to report damaged boxes. The usual answer I get is that some mailboxes have been removed if they have been reported as the site for stolen or lost letters. This appears a bit random since other boxes in the area are untouched.

Closest to my apartment, the mailbox on the southwest corner of Washington and 11th Streets disappeared. My sources also said that they expected new mailboxes, but didn’t know when they would come or if they somehow need to be made more tamper-resistant.

But not all local street mailboxes are gone. Here is a list of some Greenwich Village survivors:

• Northwest corner of Houston Street and Sixth Avenue
• Southwest corner of Seventh Avenue and 12th Street
• Northeast corner of 12th Street and Eighth Avenue (double boxes for some reason)

So, that’s just a few to show that there will be some remaining boxes. But how many? Who knows? A street-level Google Maps search might find more. Good luck.

By the way, speaking of lost sidewalk conveniences, litter baskets are also disappearing. Possibly they will be replaced by newer models, like the one at the southwest corner of Charles and Hudson Streets.

There have been media reports that the traditional, heavy, wire litter baskets we are all familiar with are all being replaced. There is a new lightweight plastic basket appearing, like the one on the southwest corner of Hudson and Charles.

I recently saw a Department of Sanitation worker emptying this new-style basket and asked him if it really was better.

“Absolutely, no comparison, not even close,” he responded, as he easily dragged an empty plastic basket back to its sidewalk spot.

Expect these all over the city soon.