Postal Security

The Need For Postal Security:

Why is there a need for us to be more stringent with our mail?

Increased risk of terrorism
Particularly towards the United States, Arab threats have never ceased ever since the pledge of American support towards Jewish rights. Since the 1980s, terrorism in the form of plane-hijackings have plagued many American carriers, particularly TWA on its intra-European routes. The recent spate of US Embassy bombings in Dhahran, Kenya and Tanzania are only evidence that the threat from Arab extremists is still ongoing and has become more disturbing with the availability of modern weaponry. Several incidents of catastrophic mid-air explosions caused by bombs include Pan Am, UTA and Air India.

The large number of people the mail has contact with
Mail sorting and delivery have been shown to be labor-intensive processes, and one piece of mail has to be passed through a countless number of hands before it arrives at its destination. A potential risk is that small samples of viral spores e.g. anthrax can be easily sent through mail and easily transmitted to thousands of postal workers. Viral spores are so small that they can hardly be seen with the naked eye.

The large volume of mail handled daily
The United States Postal Service alone handles 46% of the world's mail which makes it difficult to be stringent without compromising on efficiency. No doubt there are postal inspection devices equipped at most major mail sorting centers, however the latest weaponry has been able to go undetected e.g. viral spores, radioactive dust. In addition, the large volume makes it very difficult to track a particular piece of ordinary mail and even more difficult to trace the identity of the sender.

Convenience of sending mail
With increasing communications and improving technology, the sending of mail has become a very simple and effectual procedure, so much so it seems more lucrative to terrorists as a means of attack. The vast airmail network around the world also gives terrorists more scope for attacks within the comfort of their home-base.

Sensitive nature of the aircraft's interior
Most of the world's international mail is now carried by aircraft. Mail volume grows proportionally to the increase of air traffic. It is of utmost importance that the airlines impose strict regulations on the cargo the flight is carrying. For example, a small letter of virulent tuberculosis spores can be very easily circulated throughout the entire cabin due to the air-recycling system. The Valujet crash in the Everglades was a grim warning about the dangers of hazardous cargo.

To ensure a reliable public image
Most importantly, the Postal Service is after all a public service and it is their commitment to ensure that mail will reach its final destination. It reflects well on the country's efficiency and reliability if a postal system is well run without lost mail.

The Need for Postal Security | Present Postal Hazards | Measures implemented | How safe is your mail?