Last night, my first day back at work, we were given a lecture from our supervisor. This, he said, is not something that he started, it was from our plant manager herself.

Recently our facility was tested for security measures to keep unauthorized people from gaining entry. This test was conducted by our own security, the Postal Police. They managed to enter our facility and move around among the workers without being questioned.

As you can imagine, this is not a good thing. We should be able to feel safe while at work, to some extent, right? Well, whose job is it to make us feel safe at work? Ours? Managements?

Most of us feel that it is the employer who is charged with the responsibility of security of the business. The employer is the one that bought and installed a new fence around the registered mail area. It is the employer who bought and had installed a fence with razor wire on top around the whole of the facility. it is the employer who bought [and bought again!] a security camera system and new personel turnstiles for the main entrance of the building and new gates for the vehicular entrances to the property, which to date aren't completely installed after three years.

So, why are we now being told that it is up to us to make sure no unauthorized persons gain entry to the facility? Can the Postal Police no longer protect the building?

Our supervisor told us that there are three people, clerks apparently, who have been given the job of watching both docks and the front door. They each have a radio so they can call for backup if someone tries to get in. These docks are large enough for about 20 trucks side by side to be loaded and unloaded by mail handlers. the main entrance to the building, while having tall personnel pass thru gates in the number of six or seven, has been reduced to the one gate that can allow large items in such as mail carts, dollies, etc. it isn't locked, and isn't always being watched. I know. I've seen.

After September 11, 2001, we had Postal Police in marked cars guarding the three entrances to the property. They checked all ID's and turned away the unauthorized. Before September 11, 2001, we had a private security company patrolling the parking lot and truck entrances.

So, now we have to do it?

I'll tell you this: Expect mail delays from Miami.

-- Anonymous, October 08, 2002

Answers

Barefoot,

I hear you! Sad fact is that we need to get used to it. I work in a very public area that has people coming and going all the time. Heck our police department is just a couple doors down the main hallway in my building. Yet, I am supposed to question people that don't look like they belong and still get my job done?

Yeah, I'll ask questions, but don't expect me to be the hall police. I am but a tiny woman, how can I stand up to people that actually tower above me? (That is my secret, and I'm not letting it slip!)

This country has changed drastically, and will never go back to the 'good old days'. It is sad.

-- Anonymous, October 08, 2002

I agree that we all need to be more aware.

My point is that, for building security, we have our own police force and they should be guarding all the USPS facilities.

They spy on us all the time while we're working, why can't they tell if someone unknown enters?

By spying, I mean that they have what is called a gallery, elevated tunnels with many many little windows that allow them to see all over the facility, and move around from area to area undetected by us, plus they have doors to exit from when necessary to apprehend whoever they want.

AND, in our facility they have installed cameras all over the outside, again to monitor us, but they say it is for security. But they are not being used because the contractor hasn't finished installing. Why? Because the management hired an unreputable contractor who took off with the money after being paid in full for the work, and the second one apparently has done the same thing.

-- Anonymous, October 08, 2002

Esther, the lady who helps me keep the Health Department at bay, had her wallet stolen at Food Lion last week. She laid it on the customer's check-writing ledge whiel she paid her bill and then forgot it. When she went back, the store ran the video tape but the woman who stole the purse couldn't be identified ebcause the film was of the customers' backs. Esther couldn't figure out why the camera wasn't placed on the other side. It's because they're watching the cashiers, I explained. They don't care if their customers rip each other off but they want to be able to nail their cashiers for dipping in the register. There's a connection here somewhere.

-- Anonymous, October 08, 2002

the connection is advancement to the highest level of incompetence. I think I'll stay a clerk, I'm too competent for anything more. LOL

-- Anonymous, October 08, 2002

I hate cameras in the work place, especially in employee areas.

I don't do this, but I know of hacker types who take out cameras whenever they can, either by coating the lenses with hard to remove goo or damaging the wires.

I suspect if this trend continues, the hackers will learn new ways to take out cameras. Sometimes I wish I did have a little remote that I could just zap it with -- there is one near the bathroom at one of my jobs and I can't help but wonder if there's a camera in the bathroom, too. Yuck.

-- Anonymous, October 08, 2002

Meemur, the only yuck factor for a bathroom camera is for the poor security guy. :)

-- Anonymous, October 08, 2002