by KYW's Paul Kurtz
The union representing US Postal Service police accuses the postal service of turning a blind eye to security.
While many businesses have increased security since the 911 and anthrax attacks, the USPS has been cutting back, according to John Dukes, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, Labor Council #2.
"Well, we had over 1,400 postal police positions before 9/11. And we just went down to 700 throughout the country."
In Philadelpiha, the number of postal police officers has fallen from more than 70 in 1999 to 39. Dukes says another round of firings will reduce the local force to 15 as of October 1st. Why?
"What they tell us is the postal police positions, through technology and all now, that they actually don't need the positions."
But Dukes believes the Postal Service is merely cutting corners, with little regard for safety. The Postal Service did not immediately return calls to KYW.
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