‘McGruff The Crime Dog’ Appearances Carry Hefty Cost

CREST HAVEN — Paperwork Reduction Act? What’s that?
Ask McGruff the crime fighting canine known to millions of children, and thousands right here in Cape May County.
To put McGruff in place takes a lot of paperwork, and some serious cash.
Last night, somewhere in the county as National Night Out events took place, and law enforcement officers were making friends, especially with youngsters, if McGruff was there, thank a relatively tiny grant operated by the county Sheriff’s Department.
On Tue., July 27, freeholders approved a resolution that was 31 pages long to secure a $3,173 grant for the Sheriff’s Child Safety Program.
According to Sheriff Gary Schaffer, the grant is an annual one that funds not only the fluffy McGruff, but also pays for children’s fingerprint kits and coloring books that are handed out when McGruff makes visits to schools and events like the 4-H Fair.
Officially, the grant is a subcontract through the Board of Social Services from July 1 to Dec. 31, and is part of the Missing Children Program, Sheriff’s Child Safety Program.
To qualify, the program must set project goals: “To make every child aware of the dangers associated with strangers, and to provide a means of identification in the event of a crime against a child where identification would otherwise be difficult or impossible.”
Other objectives set by the grant: Reach as many children as possible and educate them of the potentially fatal outcome associated with strangers.
“Provide fingerprint kits that also have other identifying information in the event identification ever becomes an issue, and, interaction in a positive way with younger children “of extremely impressionable age by law enforcement personnel.”
When McGruff meets the public, two to three officers are involved, one suited up as the canine crime fighter. The other officers who accompany him distribute literature and answer questions.
There will be 15 school presentations from October through December, and nine events from July through December, according to documents.
Materials are inexpensive: 1,450 McGruff “Stranger Danger” activity books, and 1,450 “Sheriff Is Your Friend” coloring books are 56 cents each, total $1,624.
Fingerprint kits are 99 cents each for 1,460 of them, total $1,445.
Personnel costs boost the program’s total.
A lieutenant earning $123,177.69 annually is projected to work four hours per week on the project, a total of $12,317.70.
Two sheriff’s officers, with annual salaries of $109,705 and $109,463, will work 10 hours, or a quarter of a workweek, on the project, bringing total funds needed to $27,426 and $27,366.
When fringe benefits ($32,233) are factored in, according to the resolution, personnel costs for the program total $99,342.
Minimum qualifications are a sergeant and sheriff’s officers must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and must satisfactorily complete police training course, and show proficiency in firearms use.
Contact Campbell at (609) 886-8600 Ext 28 or at: al.c@cmcherald.com