Show Law Protects Mailbox 1 Mailboxes are protected by bv by federal law and pranksters or OP vandals who damage or destroy I the boxes and their co contents may be In for a heavy fine or imprisonment Post Postmaster master Ri RI W. W Goodfellow ley warned this thu week s THE TILE BOUNTIFUL post postmaster mast er noted that some mail man mall 1 receptacles were damaged or 1 destroyed in the past year It u 1 was also noted that 2641 persons were arrested In the year up to June 30 for damaging or destroying de de- man mall receptacles i iThe The Postmaster quoted from the law Whoever wilfully or maliciously injures tears doll do-An or destroys letterbox any or other receptacle intended or or I used for the receipt or delivery deliver 1 of mall mail on any mail route or breaks open the same or wil fully or maliciously injures del de faces or destroys any mall man del de post posited ted therein shall be fined not more than 1000 or not more than three years THIS APPLIES to all mail man receptacles receptacles receptacles re- re and the mall mail in them even though the boxes are bought bought I Iby by citizens and are their personal personal personal per per- property Pranksters and especially children who do not know any better should be made to re realize realize re re- alize the seriousness of their actions the Postmaster said A A 1000 fine or a term in jail is enough to take the humor out of any prank OFTEN THE TIlE mailbox damage age is the work of youths who do it for kicks And the courts have shown little sympathy for this youthful means of expression sion In Michigan a justice sentenced sentenced sen sen- two 18 year 18 year olds to ten tea ten days in jail Including two on a a- a diet of baby food The diet specification specification spec spec- explained the judge I was because the youths acted acte l like babies They were also i fined lined 25 each plus 15 costs In New York state five youths were fined 25 each plus restitution restitution resti rests or restoration plus no no dri driving ving for an indefinite period plus an 8 pm p.m. curfew plus a written analysis by each of a magazine article entitled d cA A A Judge Gets Tough on Hood Hood- lums TWO IOWA youths who damaged damaged damaged dam dam- aged 39 mailboxes were re required required required re- re to personally apologize to each In addition to making repairs or providing a anew a anew anew new box p In Missouri l three 17 year J 7 olds lc S. S lost their driving lIeges Alleges were given a 9 91 m. m tu Cu cur curfew few and had to report twice I weekly to juvenile authorities They had damaged 63 mail mail- boxes AND IN ARKANSAS four juveniles ju juveniles ju- ju faced the following 1 no driving until further notice 2 a 10 pm p.m. curfew 3 return to court in a month with letters from their school principals re reporting re porting on grades and attitudes 4 full restitution of all damages damages damages dam dam- ages and 5 wear a sign for 30 days stating I have not learned to respect the property others |