SoCal Post Offices Targeted for Closure

The check is still in the mail -- but maybe not for long.

The financially troubled United States Postal Service has targeted dozens of post offices in Southern California for possible closure as part of a larger push to cut costs.

The agency announced Tuesday that it will study 3,653 local offices, branches and stations for possible closing.

Many of those may be replaced by Village Post Offices, in which postal services are offered in local stores, libraries or government offices.

The list targets facilities that have suffered from "insufficient customer demand" or where customers have other options for buying stamps and postal services nearby.

"It's no secret that the Postal Service is looking to change the way we do a lot of things," Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said at a briefing. "We do feel that we are still relevant to the American public and the economy, but we have to make some tough choices."

Coming under review doesn't necessarily mean an office will close. The post office announced in January it was reviewing 1,400 offices for closing. So far 280 have been closed and 200 have finished the review process and will remain open.

The USPS reported an $8.5 billion net loss last year. That followed a $3.8 billion loss in 2009.