In East Cleveland, Ohio, a government lawyer for the United States Postal Service (USPS) is trying to get $700 worth of traffic citations dismissed, in the lawyer's words, "...as you are probably aware, the Postal Service enjoys federal immunity from state and local regulation...”  This did not go over very well with  American Traffic Solutions (ATS) that enforces East Cleveland's traffic camera citations.  “By attempting to hide behind an immunity claim, you are aiding and abetting your drivers in their blatant disregard for the traffic laws in East Cleveland, which have endangered other drivers, pedestrians and school children,” stated ATS attorney George Hittner in his response to USPS on their claim to be immune from local and state laws.  Mr. Hittner succinctly ended his brief to USPS by mocking their creed.  “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, nor traffic lights stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”   No comment has been made, to Mr. Hittner's brief, from USPS.

As a one-time employee of USPS, I do not find the arrogance of USPS surprising at all.  USPS is a government entity that is the poster child for all the inefficiency in the federal government.  Poor management, lazy employees who feel they can come and go as they please at work.  I dare say 80% of the employees in the USPS could not find a job in the private sector.  I would say the number is even higher of the so-called managers of USPS.  So, USPS thinking they are above the law does not surprise me.  Is USPS immune from the laws of local and state in the same manner as a diplomat from a foreign country?  That is ridiculous. I do know that in my area, if a USPS mail carrier got a ticket, two things happened.  One, he was disciplined by being being placed on a non-pay status or given a "letter of warning." Second, the cost of the ticket was deducted from his pay and paid to the city.  I don't know where USPS in East Cleveland is coming from in their belief they are immune from local and state laws.  Now, I have been out of touch with USPS for about a decade.  So, it's possible things have changed.  But, I doubt it.  A government agency that is on the brink of bankruptcy should refrain from establishing law to their benefit.  They have bigger problems to deal with at this time.