A sign outside of the Joseph R. Lentol Post Office on 66 Meserole Avenue reads: “Due to staffing issues we are closed. Sorry of any inconvenience this may have caused. You can drop off and pick up packages or use the self-service machine.”
Greenpointers has received many tips about the post office’s inconsistent hours. Their hours are advertised as Monday – Friday 9 AM – 5 PM, Saturday 8 AM – 1 PM, and closed on Sunday. As of today January 13, I saw staff working at the post office, but I did overhear a worker telling a customer that they wouldn’t be able to process passports – it’s possible other services might not be available as well.
A staffing shortage comes as no surprise. Millions of Americans quit their jobs in the latter half of 2021, in a phenomenon dubbed “The Great Resignation.” Even before COVID-19, The United States Postal Service in particular has chronically been plagued by financial crises and mismanagement, leading many post office workers to report feeling overworked.
A 2020 CNN article states: “the USPS is subject to congressional oversight of other federal agencies, but does not get any taxpayer revenue; it competes with private courier services like a profit-seeking company, but cannot set its own agenda.”
In the meantime, there are a few places in the neighborhood that can take care of your mail needs. You can ship items and buy necessities like stamps and bubble wrap at P&P Shipping at 746 Manhattan Avenue. There’s a surrogate USPS store at Cpu Murawski Pharmacy on 94 Nassau Avenue.
Hours are still inconsistent. The lobby is supposedly open later than the windows, allowing people to mail packages via the postage machine. The website says it will be open till 6 on weekdays and till 4 on Saturday. I went by on Saturday at 3 and the building was locked. They need to stick to the posted hours. If those are incorrect, the website needs to be changed.