A District community activist is calling on the United States Postal Service to clean up its mailboxes.
Terry Lynch, executive director of the Downtown Cluster of Congregations, is insisting that the area’s postmaster do a better job erasing gang-related and other types of graffiti from its D.C. mailboxes, especially those in the neighborhoods outside the downtown federal district.
“It’s an ongoing problem and they should be cleaning it up,” Lynch said.
In a letter delivered recently to Regional Postmaster Pat Moore, Lynch reported 15 boxes tagged with graffiti. The mailbox at 3430 Connecticut Ave. NW directly in front of Cleveland Park Post Office, was marked, as was the box at 15th and W streets northwest in Columbia Heights — historically the heart of the District’s Hispanic gang population.
Lynch has been monitoring graffiti for four years, including two years tracking the mysterious Borf graffiti artist, who was later identified as 18-year-old John Tsombikos.
Postal carriers and collectors are expected to report graffiti, said Deborah Yackley, USPS spokeswoman. But Lynch’s tips, which he apparently provides frequently, are appreciated.
“He does help us out and we work with him,” Yackley said. “We’ve been doing it for years.”
Merrit Drucker, director of the District’s Office of Community Relations and Services, has told Lynch his team will also report tagged mailboxes to USPS, and remove graffiti from private property on request.
The Department of Public Works deploys three graffiti removal teams — armed with the Graffiti Blaster, a high-pressure liquid spray — Monday through Friday, when the temperature is above 45 degrees. A removal request can be made at dpw.dc.gov or by calling 202-727-1000.
At a glance
Graffiti is thought to contribute to:
» Blight
» Increased criminal activity
» Reduced property values
