DRBA seeks mascot name contest entries from students by Sept. 30

The Delaware River and Bay Authority Police Department welcomed its newest member, an adorable yellow Labrador mascot, and announced a contest for local schoolchildren this summer to name the furry canine. By the deadline of Saturday, Sept. 30, area students are encouraged to submit names for the new mascot to: contact_us@drba.net. All submissions must include "Name the Canine" in the subject line, and name, address and phone number.

"Our new mascot is very eager to interact and connect with the community, particularly young children," said Col. Rick Arroyo, DRBA police administrator. "He's very friendly, but he hangs his head sometimes because he's a little sad and jealous that his friend, McGruff the Crime Dog, has such a great name and he doesn't. We're hoping the public can help us name our new colleague!"

A winner will be chosen after the contest closes Sept. 30 and submissions are reviewed. The winner of the Name the Canine contest will receive a DRBA Police Department challenge coin, T-shirt and a round-trip foot passenger ferry trip for four people.

This pleasant police pup has a remarkable story of how he joined the DRBA Police Department family. "While conducting security checks at the New Castle County Airport, one of our police officers made a wonderful discovery, an adorable yellow Labrador puppy," Arroyo said. "He didn't have a collar or any identification. The officer brought him back to department headquarters where we decided the furry creature would be a perfect addition to the force."

Now dressed in a crisp blue police uniform, floppy hat and smile, this puppy is ready to make some new friends. The only thing missing is a name. This yellow Labrador mascot will not only establish an identity for the DRBA Police Department, but will promote a positive relationship between DRBA police and the community, especially children.

The department enlisted help from world-renowned Sugar's Mascot Costumes, a company that has been turning out custom-made mascots since 1985. The artisans build every part of the costume on its premises with pride and accuracy, to ensure the customer receives a character that will be loved for years to come. The three principles for a successful mascot program - a great costume character, a great performer and the full support of the organization represented - are fully integrated into the DRBA Police Department's mascot outreach.

The Delaware River and Bay Authority, a bistate governmental agency created by compact in 1962, owns and operates the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry and the Forts Ferry Crossing. The DRBA also manages corporate and aviation properties through its economic development powers - two airports in New Jersey (Millville Airport and Cape May Airport) and three in Delaware (New Castle Airport, Civil Air Terminal and Delaware Airpark). All DRBA operating revenues are generated through the bridge, ferry and airport facilities. For more information, go to www.drba.net.