CRESTVIEW — There’s a new top safety dog in town, and Monday morning, he made his community debut at Antioch Elementary School’s summer day care center.
The Crestview Police Department unveiled its new Safetypup child safety mascot to 35 excited children, ages 4 to 10, during a presentation on how police officers help keep kids safe.
Community Policing Officer Wanda Hulion had just finished explaining some of an officer’s duties and displaying typical police equipment when she announced a special guest had arrived.
In strode Safetypup, his red cape flowing over his red, white and blue uniform.
Safetypup helped Hulion with the rest of her demonstration, as she put her ballistics vest on student Baylin Bowman, who sagged a bit as he vouched for the safety equipment’s weight.
CPD was able to acquire the Safetypup costume and related collateral, including child safety handouts and coloring books, through an account with the National Child Safety Council funded through community and business donations, Officer Sam Kimmons said.
“The more money the community donates, the more money we get in our account,” Kimmons said.
Safetypup won’t replace the National Crime Prevention Council’s McGruff the Crime Dog, Kimmons said, but because few kids are familiar with McGruff, the new safety mascot will be a more viable presence for smaller children.
WANT A VISIT FROM SAFETYPUP?
Safetypup, the Crestview Police Department’s new child safety mascot, is available for visits to schools, day cares and summer camps. Contact Community Policing Officers Wanda Hulion, 305-2905, or Sam Kimmons, 305-7831, to arrange a visit. Try to request visits at least a two weeks in advance.
QUESTIONS FOR SAFETYPUP
The kids had lots of questions about Safetypup, and Officer Wanda Hulion was glad to answer them:
Q: Why does he wear a cape?
A: “He’s a hero!” Hulion said. “Don’t super heroes wear capes?”
Q: Why is his tongue sticking out?
A: “It’s a hot day,” Hulion said. “Dogs need to pant to cool down.”
Q: Why isn’t he talking?
A: “Did you ever hear a dog talk?” Hulion asked.
Q: Why is he standing up?
A: “He’s my helper,” Hulion said. “If he was sitting down he wouldn’t be much help.”
Q: Why doesn’t he blink?
A: “He’s super observant,” Hulion said. “If he blinks, he might miss something important.”
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Safetypup makes his community debut at Antioch day care