Beverly 'Shoebert' Seal Police Patches Back Available While They Last

BEVERLY, MA — Beverly residents have one more — and perhaps last — chance to show their Shoebert and BPD pride with an official patch commemorating the celebrity seal's weeklong stay in Shoe Pond — and his great overnight escape to the Beverly Police Department.

The patch, which sold out within an hour in its first run last month, are available while supplies last here. Beverly police said this is the second and final run of the only officially approved Beverly police Shoebert patch product.

The patch is being sold for $12. BPD said a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Mystic Aquarium.

"Shoebert is the seal that brought a community together," manufacturer Ghost Patch said. "If you don't know Shoebert, look him up and fall in love."

(Also on Patch: Sealed With A Kiss: Shoebert's Endearing Week In Beverly's Shoe Pond)

Shoebert gained quite the following around the North Shore during his unlikely residence in Shoe Pond before ambling his way over to the Beverly police station in the wee hours of Sept. 23 where he was secured "without incident" and taken to the Mystic Aquarium for examination.

Six weeks later, some residents continue to also keep a keen out for Shoebert's return "home."

One week after the 4-year-old gray seal was released off the coast of Rhode Island early last month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed that Shoebert was back somewhere on the North Shore.

"We don't really know how seals navigate, but we do know that they are very good at finding their way while traveling at sea," NOAA said while chronicling Shoebert's travels.

If Shoebert does return to Shoe Pond, he will have some help navigating his way back to the police station if he ever gets stuck in Cummings Park again thanks to a new seal crossing sign at the business park.

"Although we can all agree it's safer for Shoebert to remain out at sea, should he decide to return to Shoe Pond, there'll be plenty of excited fans to welcome him back," Cummings Center General Manager Steve Drohosky said.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)