INSIDE SCOOP

-- Compiled by the Daily Pilot staff

The Costa Mesa Police Station is welcoming unlikely visitors these

days.

Two plump, brown ducks.

These birds sit on the grassy patch right outside the double doors at

the entrance. To a hurrying visitor, they look like statues. Even their

eyes don’t move. And they just sit there.

But their passive existence does amuse the kids, and even puts a smile

on the faces of delivery people who walk through the doors.

We don’t exactly know where they come from, but people at the PD say

they may be coming from TeWinkle.

“They’ve been here every day for the last three weeks,” said the front

desk attendant. “They’re almost like our mascots now.”

Public information’s coming your way

We must admit that we’re usually a little suspicious of PR folks.

After all, they get paid to make their employers look good, while we get

paid (much less) to tell you what’s really going on. But we’re sure that

Gail McElroy will be a pleasure to work with. She’s starting to work as

Newport Beach’s first-ever public information officer May 14 and we’re

sure that we’ll have her on our side in no time.

That’s because her new office is located right by the cashier’s

counter at City Hall.

And “that way, Gail can clearly hear all those great excuses for why

folks don’t deserve their parking citations,” reads an unsigned memo from

the city manager’s office.

Gail, if they’re mean to you down there, you can always come and hang

out with us. But in any case, we’re looking forward to meeting you soon.