In 1979, many Americans thought they could do little about crime.  Most viewed crime as inevitable and its prevention as the job of the police.  Today, more than three out of four Americans believe they personally can take actions to reduce crime, and that their neighborhoods and communities can act to prevent crime.

     A major force behind this shift to a more positive attitude is the National Citizen’s Crime Prevention Campaign, a coordinated effort to prevent crime and build safer, better communities.  The campaign is symbolized by McGruff, the Crime Dog, and the “Take A Bite Out of Crime” slogan.  Since 1980, McGruff has been educating and exhorting Americans through such avenues as public service advertising, educational films and videos, brochures, posters, booklets, and personal appearances.

Market and Survey research reveal that:

99% of children age’s six to twelve recognize McGruff.

An astonishing 97% of children age’s six to twelve said that they would try to do what McGruff tells them.

Seven out of ten adults know him.

     Nine out of ten teens and seven out of ten adults who know McGruff believe he is effective in communicating crime prevention information and trust him as a source of crime prevention information.

     Nine of ten community crime prevention professionals report that McGruff helps them do their jobs more effectively.

     Over the years, thanks to the efforts of local crime prevention practitioners, McGruff has appeared at a multitude of events across the country.  He’s been to schools, hospitals, shopping malls, rodeos, fairs, and parades.  His image appears on T-shirts, mugs, stickers, football cards, caps, billboards, and more.  But everywhere, his message; that responsible action, both by individuals and by groups, can “Take A Bite Out of Crime” and his advice on how to do so are the keys to his effectiveness.

     McGruff has appeared in Sports Illustrated, The Washington Post, Weekly Reader, Parade, Mini-Page, The New York Times, U.S. News and World Report, McCall’s, Time, and Smithsonian, to name just a few national publications.

     McGruff is extremely popular and versatile, but he never forgets his prime mission enabling people and communities to prevent crime and improve the quality of life for themselves, their families, friends, and neighborhoods.

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