Milwaukee is now the first city in the nation to have safe havens for postal carriers. A series of violent incidents has prompted officials to launch a three-month pilot program starting Monday on the city's south side. Carriers who get hurt or threatened can flee to specially marked home or a business. Since April, five mail carriers have almost been caught in gunfire. Other workers have gotten pelted with sticks and rocks and one was even punched in the face.
Milwaukee Alderman Bob Donovan is helping launch the effort. He's volunteered to be the first to open his house among the 40 places who've offered refuge to endangered postal workers.
"It's a program that's costing us next to nothing but involves people just working together to improve their neighborhood," says the Public Safety Committee Chairman.
The first region of this program will be on Milwaukee's south side, where police protection has already been stepped up.
