And, on ^^^ that note, I will tell you what I did.
My daughter, with her boyfriend, had picked up all the pieces they could find, including waiting for traffic to thin so they could get a piece flapping around in the street.
I knew nothing of this at the time. They inspected the pieces, tried puzzling some together. They learned that there was a variety of origins, and a variety of intended recipients.
They decided my small fry would bring the pieces to me and ask what to do.
I told her it seemed like mail theft. I wouldn’t touch them. I gave her a clean, empty bag and had her put the stack inside.
This all took place Sunday evening.
Monday, I waited for my postal carrier. He parks right next to my house, so it was easy to flag him down. I related the story to him. He was patient, and polite. I have a real nice guy here, and I felt confident he could advise me what to do, if anything.
When I got to the point that there were various different senders and destinations involved, his eyebrows went up. Je agreed that it sounded suspicious. When I asked what to do, he said he could take everything to his supervisor, and that they would effort to contact the various people, and that if a crime was at hand, they would send the matter higher. He then added, “If you don’t suspect I did anything.” I told him I know he isn’t stupid. Only a stupid person would rob the mail and dump the evidence right on the ground on his own route.
In regards to my daughter, I could have cried. Given all her teen issues going on, and disrespect towards me lately, it really warmed my heart how she handled this. They both assumed her bfs mother would not have dealt with the matter, and she trusted me to take action. She told me everything. She is saddened by the thought that some people would have birthdays and be hurt they didn’t hear from a certain loved one. She was relieved that I took the matter seriously and took action.
I told her I was proud of her, and that I thought she did the right thing, except…
I thought she should have hadled the pieces as little as possible. I assured her that I was not verbally spanking her, that I simply wanted to make a point for the off chance she shoyld have a future occasion to consider.
We both feel good about the whole thing as far as trusting each other and working it out together.
I have renewed confidence in my daughter.
@Pied_Pfeffer, yes, it has been a learning experience for us both, and I am glad for it.
@LuckyGuy, I like your style. Come by and hang out sometime. Maybe you can set up some geocaches in my town.
So, some good thoughts here. @cazzie, I didn’t know about the detectors. How do metal detectors pick up paper money?
I think I may call the office for my zip, if I don’t hear from them in the next couple of days (for a statement) and ask if they learned anything important from the pieces. If they say, “What pieces?”, I will know I misjudged my nice guy.