Articles, News and Photo LIBRARY >> Mailbox Enhancements

Mailbox Project Background
Two issues sparked our research into new mailboxes and mailbox housings:

1. IDENTITY THEFT is on the rise. A locking mailbox is one of the best weapons against loss of postal-delivered documents which contain sensitive identify information.

2. NEIGHBORHOOD INTEREST in options for updating aging mailboxes and mailbox housings.


In 2005, HCCA Board Member Lisa Dembo did extensive research on available options, including contacting other homeowners' associations and several vendors to find the most affordable pricing and options for our residents.

We decided against recommending "group" security mailboxes because that option (a) Implies all neighbors in a mailbox cluster have to participate ("all or nothing"); (b) If a part on the unit (such as a hinge) is defective, the entire unit has to be replaced. So Lisa's efforts focused on finding security boxes that are compatible with traditional mailboxes so they each homeowner could eventually replace traditional boxes with security boxes as their desire and budget permitted.

Recommended Solution
SECURITY OPTION: Your best security option on the market is the Pinnacle (smaller) or Pinnacle Supreme (holds about 1 week's worth of mail) from Security Safe & Lock in Bellevue: 425.454-6969, and ask for Scott. Each unit features a large enough slot where the carrier can easily deposit mail; yet each homeowner has a unique key and are the only people who can access the box contents.

Some homeowners are rebuilding the mailbox islands (housing) as well. If you are doing this, we have encountered the following:
a. Remember there are specific height specifications for mailboxes (so the trucks can easily reach them).
b. Mailboxes which are in clusters must be replaced in the same order as the boxes were prior to re-construction.
c. We highly recommend an OUTBOUND box if you have a cluster of significant size. In this case, residents can put their mail in the slot; and only the Post Office has the key to open the box (the lock must be standardized and installed by the Post Office). To arrange this, contact Paul Swensson at the U.S. Postal Service: 425.453-5655.


Examples of the Pinnacle boxes:

Pinnacle 22" x 10" x 11"

Pinnacle Supreme 23" x 10.5" x 14"

Price: If you mention you are with the Horizon Crest neighborhood, you will likely receive a discounted price from Security Safe & Lock. The list price for each Pinnacle box is about $144, Pinnacle Supreme boxes are about $164. If you like, HCCA can collect names of interested neighbors so we can try to reach the guaranteed quantity discount from Security Safe & Lock (which is 20-units). Each maibox version also has a "PLUS" option, which involves higher security by adding significant thickness to the housing (about three times as thick). This option raises the cost for the Pinnacle box to about $179; and the Pinnacle Supreme box to about $219.

TRADITIONAL MAILBOXES
Other mailboxes could be used in place of the security boxes (above) if cost is a concern to resident(s); yet this unit can always be upgraded to the security box at a later date. Examples of boxes available at retail locations include:

LOWE'S: Premium home mailbox $69.98 (other models available at about $10-$15 less).

LOWE'S: Standard home mailbox $10.94

HOUSING OPTIONS:
Following photos were taken in Somerset using various housings and the Pinnacle style mailboxes:







Click HERE for instructions from Lowe's about doing a "Mailbox Makeover".

Visit This Page if you want to see a gallery of various mailbox stands within our neighborhood (newer and older).