Leesburg Police Welcome New McGruff

The Leesburg Police Department Explorer Post 1041 and the department’s Citizen Support team can thank local resident Dawn Rizzoni for a rare gift: a new McGruff Crime Dog.

Rizzoni noticed the department’s need for a new, more up-to-date version of the costume, which is used in Explorer Post functions with children, while she was donating toys during the holidays last year.

A few weeks later, she donated $4,000 toward the purchase of a new costume, according to a release from the department.

On Feb. 3, Chief Joseph Price and other officers highlighted the updates to the new costume at its presentation.

The old McGruff costume was worn and in disrepair after more than 20 years of use, but the new costume is more than just a fresher piece: it can blink, has cooling units, and can play recorded messages in presentations for children, according to the release. 

Price, members of the Explorer Post and the Citizens Support Team all thanked Rizzoni for the opportunity to continue sending crime prevention messages to local children with this updated costume.