by Timothy Rutt

Afraid of having UPS or FedEx leave your packages on your stoop to be picked up by the random thief? If you're an Altadena post office box holder, you have another option.

The Altadena Post Office has started a new service where they will accept packages from any carrier for post office box holders and keep them for your pickup.

According to officer in charge David Tran, post office box customers need to set up an online account at poboxesonline.com.  Then, they can fill out a customer agreement form at the Altadena post office that can kick in the following services:

Street addressing: use the street address of the post office location to receive your packages.  For example, gifts to Altadenablog (highly encouraged!) at PO box 6596 can be sent to:

2271 N. Lake Ave., No. 6596
Altadena CA 91003

Tran said this gives a street address to a small business.  Packages from any carrier can be accepted.  To pick them up, show your ID at the counter.

Signature on file: provide the post office with a signature that they'll keep on file and  will be able to accept some signature-required mail and packages.

Real Mail Notification Services: receive an email or text message each day you receive mail in your PO Box. 

To start the services, begin by registering or getting a box online at poboxesonline.com.