RAMP stands for Replacement Anti-Theft Mailbox Program. At least $10,000 in discretionary funds will be used to help neighborhoods dealing with mailbox theft.
SAN ANTONIO — In an effort to combat rising mailbox thefts, District 8 Councilmember Ivalis Meza Gonzalez has launched a new initiative aimed at financially helping neighborhood associations replace outdated cluster mailboxes.
“So RAMP is the Replacement Anti-Theft Mailbox Program (RAMP),” said Meza-Gonzalez.
Through RAMP, the District 8 city council office will allocate $10,000 in discretionary funds for neighborhood associations in need of fresh cluster mailboxes and improved lighting in the community.
“One to one match. So we’ve got up to $2,000 for mailboxes and then up to $500 for lighting around the mailboxes,” Meza Gonzalez said. “Lighting is always going to be helpful, making sure that folks feel safe and that their items are protected.”
Lewis Barr has witnessed mail thieves in action just across the street from where he lives on the northwest side.
“They’re taking crow bars and just yanking it out,” Barr said, who serves as president of the Hart Ranch Homeowners Association. “The two that I ran off, they were very young.”
The Hart Ranch neighborhood has seven mailbox stations, some of which have been targeted by thieves in the past. When the budget allows, the neighborhood has invested in mailboxes.
“It can get expensive,” Barr said. “One location out of our seven could cost you around eight grand.”
Over in the Copper Canyon neighborhood, resident Andrew Gonzalez said his community had also been targeted multiple times before replacing their mailboxes last year with reinforced units. Gonzalez spent his own money to buy cameras and signage, which caught the suspects in the act.
KENS 5 captured the moments when the United States Postal Service installed new cluster units. There’ve been zero successful break-ins ever since.
“These are definitely beefed up. The metal on them is much thicker,” Gonzalez said.
Now, Gonzalez hopes RAMP can grow into a citywide program.
“Sometimes HOA communities do not have all the funds available to replace the mailboxes, so it will definitely come in handy,” Gonzalez said.
Neighborhood associations interested in applying for RAMP can find eligibility guidelines and application information at the City of San Antonio website or contact the District 8 Office directly at District8@sanantonio.gov for assistance.
Councilmember Meza Gonzalez noted this is part of a bigger vision. “This program is a small but meaningful step toward building safer, more connected neighborhoods across District 8.”