For 17 years my family has put outgoing mail on the stoop on our front porch, just outside the front door on Sheridan Ave. We don't have a formal mail box, and our mail delivery people put incoming mail inside out foyer. For the first time ever to our knowledge, some outgoing mail was stolen. My husband found the cards in the snow up the street several blocks, the envelopes torn and tossed aside. Clearly someone was looking for money. I realize now how silly we have been to put our mail out where all could see and have access. On the other hand, for almost 20 years it has to my knowledge been safe. And, tampering with the mail is a federal crime. Just an FYI to the neighborhood. No need to chastize us about safety and crimes of opportunity, we're already chastizing ourselves.