Yahoo Finance US Postal Service Removing Mailboxes in Several Major Cities Ahead of Inauguration Day
Scott Olson/Getty Images
The US Postal Service (USPS) is taking the necessary security precautions ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on Wednesday.
In the wake of the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, the USPS has temporarily removed some mailboxes throughout major cities in at least 17 states across the country, and Washington D.C., for security reasons, USPS spokesman David Partenheimer told CNN.
"It's part of our normal procedures to keep our employees and customers safe during times of protest or when large crowds are gathered near postal facilities, on postal routes, or by mailboxes," said Partenheimer.
The USPS said in a press release that the blue collection mailboxes in D.C. will either be temporarily removed or locked and notices have been placed on the boxes indicating the date they will be unavailable for service. In addition, at least 14 post offices in D.C. will be closed on Inauguration Day.
According to CNN, the USPS also removed mailboxes in D.C. during the inauguration of President Trump in Jan. 2017 as a safety measure.
RELATED: Capitol Police Memo Issued Days Before Deadly Riot Warned 'Congress Itself' Could Be Targeted
A number of increased security measures have been prepared for Biden's inauguration on Wednesday, after thousands of President Donald Trump's supporters violently forced their way into the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6. The ensuing chaos led to the deaths of five people, including a Capitol police officer.
The United States Capitol Police has already implemented a variety of safety precautions across the U.S. Capitol Complex including global fencing and street closures, according to a press release.
"Anyone attempting to unlawfully gain access to the Capitol Grounds by climbing a fence or any other unlawful means will be subject to an appropriate use of force and arrest," the release states.
The USCP will also be coordinating with National Guard troops and additional law enforcement partners throughout the region to maintain safety in the area.
