Congresswoman Promises To Fight Post Office Problems In Brooklyn

KENSINGTON, BROOKLYN – A local congresswoman pledged to investigate post offices in her district days after Patch reported the ‘worst’ post office in New York City had found a new way to torment her constituents.

Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, who represents Kensington among other central Brooklyn neighborhoods, met with the Brooklyn Postmaster to discuss poor postal service across the borough, she announced Monday.

“I expressed my concerns about delivery, efficiency, and service,” said Clarke of her meeting with Anthony Impronto. “The meeting was a good first step. I walked away with an even greater understanding of the systemic issues plaguing the USPS.”

The news came just three days after Patch reported that employees of the Kensington Station Post Office — named by the New York Times as the worst in the city — were parking on sidewalks just outside their own parking lot.

"When did it become okay to park on the sidewalk?" one Kensington resident wrote in a private Facebook group. "If you work for the post office, you have the right to be an inconsiderate jerk?"

Clarke's announcement also came the same day Patch launched an investigation into the worst post offices across the city that turned up stories of postal workers starting fist fights, residents picketing outside their local station, and many, many references to hell.

People from across the city reported mail carriers who toted “Sorry we missed you” notices instead of the packages they were supposed to deliver, missing or damaged mail, and long lines that led to rude staff, to say the least.

"Ever seen a fist fight or the police called to a [post office]?" Asked Patch reader Deliwe Kekana, who uses the Shirley Chisholm Post Office in Bed-Stuy. "I have. TWICE. And no it wasn't between customers. Its the workers behind the desk."

"This past holiday," Patch reader Mikki wrote in her review of a Clinton Hill post office, "any first-class mail delivered to us with a handwritten address was opened and emptied of cash."

These are New York City's 'worst' post offices, according to Patch readers:

Patch tried to reach Clarke’s office for more information about the meeting, specifically what exactly are the “systemic issues plaguing the USPS” and how Clarke hopes to address them, but her office did not respond to our request for an interview.

In her statement, Clark said she raised concerns to the Brooklyn Postmaster about mail delivery in affordable housing, out-of-date equipment and technology, poor training of staff.

“Ultimately, Mr. Impronto and I had a productive and open dialogue,” Clarke said. “I look forward to working with his team in the coming months and will continue to hold him accountable until the concerns of my constituents are addressed.”

The congresswoman also directed her staff to reach out to constituents — who live in and around Kensington, Flatbush, Crown Heights, Midwood and Park Slope — to discuss their postal service complaints.

Photo courtesy of Frank Franklin II/AP Images