California neighborhood declared too dangerous to deliver mail

An uptick in assaults against post office workers delivering mail to one California neighborhood, has had the USPS officially decide not to try.

According to Good Day LA’s Sandra Endo, an area of Santa Monica is no longer getting mail service because carriers have been attacked. Ambushes of postal employees have gone on for a "few weeks" now. One of the incidents described by local residents was an altercation where mail was kicked into the street, and the mail carrier was threatened with a golf club or "some type of bat."

Roughly "200 families" will be impacted, says Endo. The stoppage according to local residents is reportedly limited to "paper mail and envelopes," with packages still being delivered in the area.

Santa Monica Postmaster Marjorie Watson told impacted residents on April 7 that the service disruption will impact all addresses "located on the 1300 block of 14th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404."

"This is unfortunate, but please be advised that the Postal Service does not enter into decisions to suspend service lightly. Multiple carriers have been subjected to assaults and threats of assault from an individual who has not been located or apprehended. The safety of our employees and of the mail they deliver to you is our highest concern. Until we can ensure the safety of both, delivery services will remain suspended."

Residents in this declared "no-go" zone are told they can pick up mail from a nearby post office facility.

Santa Monica city council member Phil Brock on Sunday indicated city officials were trying to get more information but recently discovered that "there was an incident in January. A resident hit a mail carrier with a broomstick however the carrier refused to file charges. The resident lives in that block."

USPS spokeswoman Natashi Garvins told Fox News that this decision was motivated by "three separate incidents" that impacted "three separate letter carriers over the last several months."

Only one assault has been reported with the victim in that case refusing to prosecute. Santa Monica police have signaled a readiness to help, if they knew further information from USPS about the extent of the problem.

It may even be just one guy. CBS added "the suspect is well-known amongst [police] ranks, as they've had several issues with him in the past - most of which are domestic."

A report by CBS at the beginning of April has Santa Monica labeled one of the most dangerous cities in California. The locale stood out as one of the highest contenders when it came to property and violent crime, creating a general day-to-day environment where "everybody’s looking over their shoulder."

It’s unclear when this declared USPS suspension will end.