Rep. Beatty says USPS will conduct audits after mail complaints across central Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Central Ohio residents may get an answer to their mail complaints soon.

Rep. Joyce Beatty announced Saturday that her office has been working with postal officials and local election officials after seeing an uptick in mail complaints.

Beatty said the United States Postal Service will conduct a series of audits to assess mail delivery and customer service complaints.

"For years now, Central Ohioans have struggled with slow and unreliable USPS deliveries, particularly in the Northland area serviced by the Innis Road branch and Southeast Columbus," said Beatty. "These audits are the first step to restoring the rapid, reliable deliveries Americans should expect from their Postal Service. We expect to receive full reports from the USPS following the completion of the audits in the coming weeks, and I will work with local officials to ensure the necessary investments and solutions are put in place."

The Postal Service said it will review the concerns raised by Beatty and will respond directly to her.

Several USPS customers have reached out to WSYX in past weeks lamenting the mail issues.

One couple said they didn't get mail for over a week and signed up for the USPS informed delivery notifications that show them what they can expect.

"It's been quite a few months now that it's been really shaky," Randy DePuy said.

"The mail hasn't been here for like two or three weeks," Hassan Henderson, a North Linden neighbor, said. "I got checks coming through and stuff like that, multiple credit cards."

At the time, USPS said in part it has been impacted by the pandemic and local management is aware of the issues.

The audits come as the postal service is facing potential changes to how it operates with the Postal Service Reform Act passing the House and moving to the Senate.

The bill would end a requirement that the Postal Service finance retirees' health benefits for 75 years in advance, which has driven it tens of billions of dollars into debt. It would also require it to continue deliveries six days weekly and issue data, by zip code, on how quickly mail is delivered.

This article was originally published by ABC 6 on February 19, 2022.