Gregory Smith

Chico postmaster Greg Smith said the cluster boxes are probably the most secure, but take some work to acquire.

He said the process usually involves neighbors getting together and agreeing to purchase a cluster box and a cement pad on which to place it.

Smith said prices for the boxes start at about $300 and are available from postal department-approved sources.

The post office prefers that cluster boxes be shared by at least seven neighbors with consecutive address numbers, Smith said.

The cluster boxes generally offer locking compartments to receive mail, a locking compartment to deposit mail and a locking box for large parcels.

The process to obtain a cluster box can begin with a call to a local post office.

Smith said rural-style mailboxes with a locking devices can be purchased at any hardware store and are approved for use.

He said people living in very rural areas should deposit mail at a post office or blue mail drop box, or, if possible, become accustomed to mail delivery times and remove mail from the box immediately after it's delivered.

"We'll be postmarking until 9 p.m. though," said Chico Postmaster Gregory Smith.
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It can print a label and give a receipt," said Smith.
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Smith couldn't pass up the chance:

"It's a little more taxing for us than other days," he said.

While electronic filing of tax returns has alleviated some of the press of people at the offices, there still is roughly double the normal number of customers.

The Vallombrosa office counted 532 customers Wednesday.

Smith isn't able to add people to the April 15 shift, but instead diverts them from other duties.

Introducing Greg Smith, contributor to InternetCases.com

Gregory Smith, a second year law student at Chicago-Kent College of Law, has agreed to be a contributor to InternetCases.com.Greg has a strong background and interest in both law and technology, which is demonstrated by his creation of the law blog aggregator Juris Novus.
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Before starting law school, Greg received a bachelor's degree in network technology from DePaul University.He has worked for the Illinois Attorney General's High Tech Crimes Bureau as a law clerk, and is an avid bicyclist and gin rummy player.
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Introducing Greg Smith, contributor to InternetCases.com

Gregory Smith