On Wednesday morning about 8:45 a.m., I went into the El Centro Post Office to get my mail and I couldn’t believe how dirty it was in there. There was trash thrown all over the place, sticky stuff spilt on the floor and the aisle where my box is located smelled like urine. What’s up with that? You would think they would have someone clean the place up in the morning before they open. — Disgusted, Imperial
Every winter for as long as we can remember the homeless have used the lobby of the El Centro Post Office as a place to get out of the elements.
This winter, that is no different.
Holtville Postmaster and Officer in Charge of the El Centro Post Office, Tamara Garcia, told us it’s a historical problem, and one she recently contacted El Centro police about.
Garcia, who has been in charge of the El Centro Post Office since November, said police have promised to step up their patrols and run out any homeless they can find in the lobby at night.
The E.C. Post Office, being the largest one in the Valley, is open 24 hours so people can access their post office boxes. Garcia said keeping it open is a service to the Postal Service’s customers.
“We’re not wanting to lock the doors to prevent customers from receiving the mail. However, if this problem continues, we may have no other choice,” she said.
Post Office maintenance staff does try to stay on top of the messes made. Garcia said right around 8:45 in the morning is when the custodian gets in for the day. She said the letter writer must have just crossed paths.
That said, Garcia will now look into restructuring some of the maintenance staff schedules to get someone there earlier.
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