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Residents tell commission mail is inconsistent after dog attacks; city says it's engaging the postmaster
Summary
Several Mount Clemens residents reported interrupted mail delivery and dog attacks that they say have caused the postal service to stop delivering on Deal Drive; the city said it has recently established direct contact with a postmaster and will pursue follow-up, but noted the post office is a federal institution beyond city control.
Residents raised public-safety and mail-delivery concerns at the commission meeting, saying dog-related incidents have interrupted postal service on Deal Drive and created risks for elderly neighbors who rely on mailed medications.
Curtis Harrington, who said he lives at 60 Deal Drive, told the commission his neighborhood has suffered repeated interruptions of mail service after an incident last year in which a mail carrier was attacked by a neighbor's dog. "We're not getting our mail delivered on Deal Drive," Harrington said, adding that recent weather and mobility issues make trip to the post office difficult for some residents who depend on mailed prescriptions.
Rhonda Powell of 365 Plain River Drive asked why animal control had not taken the dog into custody under local ordinance, saying seniors in the area live in fear. "According to the ordinance that's what should have happened," Powell said.
City officials acknowledged the problem and discussed steps to follow up. A commissioner said staff has attempted outreach and indicated the city recently made a phone call that reached a receptive postmaster; the presiding official said they are also coordinating with Congressman John James' office to address the federal institution's ongoing staffing and operational issues.
Why it matters: Mail interruptions can block residents' access to medications and essential services, particularly for seniors and people with limited mobility. Animal-control enforcement and clarifying which agency can act were central concerns at the meeting.
What the city will do next: Officials said they will pursue further contact with postal leadership and continue to explore enforcement options with animal-control authorities; no formal city action or ordinance change was adopted at the meeting.
