Empty Mailboxes Across Maryland Have Congress Demanding Answers
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Communities across Maryland aren't getting their mail. Many Marylanders are frustrated, but for some, it's a matter of life or death.
Now several members of Congress are calling on the Postal Service to do something about it.
Meghan McCorkell has more on the delays.
Those members of Congress say they want an explanation about why some people have not received mail in up to 10 days.
For days, Ken Sweet has been checking his mailbox.
"Wednesday... nothing. And then Thursday... nothing," he said.
After nearly a week, he went to the Pasadena Post Office and found a long line of people with the same problem.
Since Feb. 11, some haven't received prescription drugs, social security checks, veterans benefits and time sensitive correspondence.
"A Vietnam vet was there and he was asking about his mail. He's waiting for his prescription. He's out of it," said Sweet. "He's waiting for his prescription, and they told him, look on tracking, there's nothing we can do."
And it's happening all over the state. From Pasadena to the D.C. suburbs. Windsor Mill and Perry Hall are also reporting delays.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Postal Service says icy road conditions last week led to the backup. She says: "The safety of our employees is a top priority for the Postal Service, but every attempt was made to deliver the mail where it was safe to do so."
But several members of Congress have now sent a letter to the postmaster general, demanding answers about why mail isn't getting delivered.
In it, the lawmakers say they understand the importance of keeping postal workers safe, especially after a Prince George's County mail carrier was murdered delivering mail after dark, but say these delays are unacceptable.
As for Ken Sweet, he just wants answers.
"Somebody needs to be accountable somewhere along the line," he said.
So he can get his mail on time.
When Sweet went to the post office to get his mail, he was told that he could not have it because it wasn't sorted yet.
Despite lingering delays, the Postal Service claims service has resumed in all areas.
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