Warrantless surveillance mail program

[Lockk]

Never underestimate your enemy or think their stupid as it's usually not the case.

WASHINGTON — U.S. postal authorities have approved more than 10,000 law enforcement requests to record names, addresses and other information from the outside of letters and packages of suspected criminals every year since 1998, according to U.S. Postal Inspection Service data.
In each of those years, officials approved more than 97% of requests to record the information during criminal inquiries. In 2004, 2005 and 2006, the most recent year provided, officials granted at least 99.5% of requests, according to partial responses to inquiries filed by USA TODAY under the Freedom of Information Act.

Postal officials have closely guarded the warrantless surveillance mail program, used for decades to track fugitives and to interrupt the delivery of illegal drugs or other controlled substances such as explosives. In other government surveillance, such as most wiretap programs, a judge approves requests. In this one, the USPIS' chief inspector has authority to grant or deny a request.

The Postal Service handles 214 billion pieces of mail each year. Correspondence and packages transported by private carriers, such as FedEx and UPS, are not subject to the surveillance.

When the government's warrantless surveillance of electronic communication has come under fire, civil liberties advocates say, the USPIS' limited disclosure raises serious questions. "The idea of the government tracking that amount of mail is quite alarming," says Jameel Jaffer, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's national security project. "When you realize that (the figure) does not include national security matters, the numbers are even more alarming."

Postal officials would not disclose the volume of mail monitored in national security investigations. Because those include terror-related inquiries, the figures do not show whether the Sept. 11 attacks influenced requests or approvals.

In a Feb. 8 response to requests for information, inspection service counsel Anthony Alverno wrote that even revealing the frequency of the surveillance would undermine its effectiveness "to the detriment of the government's national security interests."

Postal officials also would not discuss how much mail is being opened for content examinations, which do require a warrant authorized by a judge.

USPIS spokesman Douglas Bem described the surveillance program as "one of many tools" available to investigators. "Regulations are in place that serve to protect the general population from illegal and unlawful intrusions," Bem says. A 1978 federal appeals court decision upheld the use of such surveillance.

Each request to monitor a sender's mail can cover multiple letters and packages by the same suspects. Bem said the government does not track the total pieces of mail captured in the monitoring program.

[method2madness]

I know nobody like to be tracked like that but recording names on the outside of letters and packages hardly seems like a violation. Anybody can see that info so it's not as if they're diving into each item they find. Plus, if this helps track someone who may be a criminal then when the person is busted the mail tracking be used to show pattern and help track people on both sides of the criminal transaction. I guess what I'm saying is, use UPS, FED-EX, or DHL to avoid this stuff.

Method2madness

[Lockk]

There are things that are purchased that do not ship UPS, Fed-Ex or DHL I am pretty sure you know what I am talking about and that was the reason that I posted this.

I bolded the area that may apply to a few folks that visit the board.

Postal officials have closely guarded the warrantless surveillance mail program, used for decades to track fugitives and to interrupt the delivery of illegal drugs or other controlled substances such as explosives. In other government surveillance, such as most wiretap programs, a judge approves requests. In this one, the USPIS' chief inspector has authority to grant or deny a request.

[continental]

All the can do is "interrupt" the flow of illegal items. It's good that at least that's what they say instead of saying "stop the flow". They are fighting a losing battle. But it's a necessary evil in this world. If they give up then this country would be way worse than it is. I cant imagine the people in this country that have lots of time and money on their hands falling deeper into drugs.

[cuffs]

Originally Posted by method2madness

I guess what I'm saying is, use UPS, FED-EX, or DHL to avoid this stuff.

I underdstand what you're saying, but the delivery systems you listed do not have to follow certain rules like USPS does. They can open a pack for no reason, or claim it to be for safety purposes, then notify LE if contraband is found. Also, they provide LE with whatever info they ask for, without a search warrant. I have a friend who runs a UPS store and he gives LE any info they want without any questions.

[continental]

What lots of people forget is that even if these shipping companies decide to do whatever they want and open packages like that, 50% of the time it may not even be admissible evidence because they didnt follow some standard they had. If you are smart you would get a lawyer in that situation and they could probably get that evidence thrown out of court on a technicality. Technicalities kill prosecutors cases all the time, you just have to have enough money to pay a lawyer to root it out.

[biga26]

Big brother is watching you!!

[Elite Power]

Seriously this is getting out of hand. I dont mind the extra protection, but the very values this country were made upon are being taken away from us. The terrorist won.