Dear Mr. Know-It-All:
When browsing local social media sites, there seem to be constant posts about mail packages being delivered to the wrong addresses.
With today’s delivery systems, electronic tracking, GPS technology, and Google Maps, why does this still happen so often? It seems like it could all be easily avoided.
Many folks are understandably frustrated by this issue.
Signed,
Kevin L.
Dear Kevin,
Thanks for the question. You’re right, Mr. Know-It-All has seen plenty of social media posts, including photos of people’s front porches, with captions saying their package was delivered “here,” but it’s not their porch, and they have no idea where “here” is.
It’s frustrating, especially if you’re waiting for a one-of-a-kind item, a present from Grandma, a pizza, or even a one-of-a-kind pizza present from Grandma!
Mr. Know-It-All reached out to a newly retired delivery professional. I won’t say which organization he worked for, but he spent more than 25 years delivering packages through snow, rain, and the gloom of night (hint, hint). He says it’s not always the carrier’s fault. Sometimes the address is simply wrong. There can also be confusingly similar addresses on different streets, or poorly organized neighborhood mailbox units with no logical address order.
He also pointed out that new drivers might not yet be familiar with the area, and some carriers may prioritize speed over accuracy. As long as they deliver a certain number of packages during their shift, it may fall to others to figure out if everything went to the right place.
Technology is helping. My source says one major carrier now alerts the delivery person if a package is dropped off more than 30 feet from its intended location. Pretty cool, huh?
Another issue that affects delivery accuracy is how our homes and businesses are addressed. Did you know there are actual rules for address labeling in both the city and the county? I didn’t, until I made a few calls to officials in Farmington and Aztec.
Farmington Community Development Director Derrik Childers and Principal Planner Joaquin Gonzales shared some of the city’s requirements. Address numbers must:
But wait, what about San Juan County? I’m glad you asked!
Community Development Director Michelle Truby-Tillen says the rules differ slightly because things can get rural pretty quickly. In the county, address numbers must:
Following these guidelines helps ensure Grandma’s one-of-a-kind pizza present doesn’t end up at your neighbor’s house!
And here’s another important reason to get your address labeling right: emergency responders. Whether it’s fire, medical, or police, every second counts. Clearly marked addresses help emergency personnel locate your home quickly when it matters most.
San Juan County also has some more helpful tips:
Oh – and San Juan County asked Mr. Know-It-All to share this link: https://www.sjcounty.net/address
This site helps residents correct address problems. You can report your own property – or someone else’s – and show the correct location on a map so the County can follow up.
I’ll leave you this week with the immortal words from that 1970 singing sensation, Five Man Electrical Band: “Sign, sign, Everywhere a sign”
Mr. Know-It-All is Scott Michlin, the general manager of KSJE 90.9FM community-supported radio at San Juan College. If you have a question about something in San Juan County, drop him a line at SMichlin@tricityrecordnm.com. If he doesn’t know the answer, he knows someone who does and you’ll read about it here in the pages of the Tri-City Record.
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