ZIP Code Injustices Need to Be Addressed

* After reading in Political Briefing (Dec. 10) that Rep. Howard P. (Buck) McKeon has just learned about the “Northridge orphans” and subsequent ZIP code injustices, I have several comments.

First of all, had Mr. McKeon spoken with Rep. Howard Berman (who previously represented the area), he would have become enlightened about the situation. To his credit, Mr. Berman did try to rectify the problem.

Second, I first learned about this fiasco two years ago when I led a drive to rename my community North Hills and discovered that there had been several pieces of legislation introduced in both the Senate and the House of Representatives that would allow for local jurisdictional input into the ZIP code system. Unfortunately, due to intense lobbying by the insurance industry and the U.S. Postal Service, the bills have never gotten out of the lower bowels of the subcommittees on postal operations. Neither the industry nor the Postal Service want the status quo changed.

Third, when I called my insurance company to let it know that I now live in North Hills, I was told, “Call us when you get a new ZIP code. The new name does not mean a thing.”

Until people realize that this problem is nationwide, nothing will ever get accomplished. Moreover, until all of our elected officials at the national level are informed about the consequences of this ridiculous ZIP code system affecting insurance rates, we are powerless.

HOWARD COHEN

North Hills