It all started 25 years ago, with a dog in a rumpled trench coat who said, ?You don?t know me?yet.  But you will.?  McGruff?s first public service advertisement, ?Stop A Crime,? aired in February of 1980.  It was the beginning of an enduring partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Advertising Council, and also marked the beginning of the National Citizens? Crime Prevention Campaign and the formation of the now 300-member Crime Prevention Coalition of America (CPCA).  The National League of Cities has been a CPCA member since 1985. 

Since then, McGruff the Crime Dog, beloved icon for the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) and the campaign, has helped NCPC and CPCA members across the country ? including cities and local leaders ? teach millions of people that they, along with law enforcement, can prevent crime.  McGruff and his signature ?Take a Bite Out of Crime? message are now indisputably linked not only with crime prevention but with the community?s role in public safety. 

McGruff has proved a versatile communicator on public safety issues, talking with children, teens, and adults about home security, street safety, drug prevention, gun violence prevention, bullying prevention, and community action to co-produce public safety, to name just a few of the topics he has addressed in formats ranging from television to radio to print to personal appearances.

?Adults who know McGruff are significantly more likely to take a range of personal and neighborhood safety measures that make them and their families less vulnerable to crime,? said Alfonso Lenhardt, president and CEO of NCPC.  ?The McGruff Campaign has been a lynchpin of the public safety movement for nearly three decades ? engaging law enforcement agencies and community residents in preventing crime.?

Thanks to funding support from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice, corporate partners, foundations, and individuals for the past 25 years, through the campaign and related projects, NCPC has produced more than $1.5 billion worth of public service advertising and more than $300 million worth of reproduced, locally claimed educational booklets and brochures. 

It has also produced more than 150 major publications and program kits that tens of thousands have used to support and encourage local action for public safety.  In 2004 alone, NCPC trained and made presentations to over 15,000 law enforcement personnel, educators, parents, youth, local community leaders, and neighborhood volunteers.  More than 5,000 communities have a McGruff costume that local law enforcement uses to help promote vital crime prevention and safety messages to people of all ages.

While crime has declined significantly, still 24 million Americans were victims of a range of crimes in 2003.  In addition, electronic crime is burgeoning ? ranging from identity theft to spam and fraud.  Seniors, children, youth, new Americans, business owners and Neighborhood Watch groups face new crime challenges every day.  McGruff and NCPC are tackling traditional and emerging crimes as we continue to help individuals learn how to reduce their risk of becoming victims of crime.

Details: To learn more about the history of McGruff, 25th anniversary activities, new programs for children and communities, what your community can do to support community crime prevention, and more about the Coalition, visit www.ncpc.org.  To inquire about how to bring McGruff to your community, write to mcgruffevents@ncpc.org. For more information about the 7th National Conference on Preventing Crime scheduled for October 8-11, 2005 in Washington, D.C., visit www.ncpc.org/pop.