Marko Ramius: Hello, I am a volunteer for Geocaching.com and this cache has come to my attention during the course of my administrative duties. I am archiving your cache because it appears that this cache is placed on an USPS mailbox. Geocaching.com cache placement guidelines prohibit caches placed near or under structures deemed to be potential targets for terrorist attacks. The guidelines provide as follows: [i]
Caches may be quickly archived if we see the following (which is not inclusive):
• …
• Caches near or under public structures deemed potential or possible targets for terrorist attacks. These include but are not limited to highway bridges, dams, government buildings, elementary and secondary schools, and airports. [/i]
This has been interpreted to include USPS mailboxes. You will find the guidelines here: http://www.geocaching.com/about/guidelines.aspx#sat
Part of the reason for the Guideline is that the USPS has zero tolerance for anyone playing around with their property. From the United States Postal Inspection Service Code:
"Mailboxes are considered federal property, and federal law (Title 18, United States Code, Section 1705), makes it a crime to vandalize them (or to injure, deface or destroy any mail deposited in them). Violators can be fined up to $250,000, or imprisoned for up to three years, for each act of vandalism." http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/smashbox.htm
Thank you for your understanding and for your contributions to the sport.
Marko Ramius
Geocaching.com Volunteer Cache Reviewer
[b]NOTE: Do NOT reply directly to the e-mail you received from the Geocaching.com e-mail bot. Click on the link to go to the cache page and click on my name in the log at the bottom of the page to send me an e-mail through the Geocaching.com e-mail system Please send me a link to the cache in question, or at least provide its GC number, so I will know which cache you are writing about. [/b]