Does the phrase “Take a bite out of crime!” trigger long-dormant memories in you? If so, you’ve probably seen commercials, PSAs, or school programs featuring McGruff the Crime Dog. It may surprise you to learn that he’s still around — except this time he’s addressing crime prevention for things that are more common in the digital age. In this blog post, we’ll catch you up on what he’s currently up to, along with how Bark can work in concert with his efforts.
The History of McGruff, Everyone’s Favorite Crime-Fighting Dog
The National Crime Prevention Council launched McGruff — he’s actually a bloodhound, if you’re dog fans like us here at Bark — way back in 1980 as a way to increase crime awareness and public safety in the U.S. The best part? It worked!
Through commercials, billboards, in-person appearances, and public service announcements, McGruff became a cultural icon that nearly everyone recognized. In these early days, he focused on more traditional crime prevention tactics like locking doors, not talking to strangers, and avoiding walking alone at night.
Crime Prevention: McGruff’s Current Focus Areas
Society looks like a lot different than it did 40 years ago, though, and McGruff has adapted to the current digital age by focusing on the most pressing threats facing people, including:
Fighting fentanyl
Pills laced with the deadly drug fentanyl kill Americans at an alarming rate — every 5 minutes another life is lost to it. People often don’t know that pills they’ve obtained (including common drugs like Adderall, Xanax, or Percocet) can contain fentanyl, which is 100 times stronger than morphine. Just how strong? Four out of 10 pills laced with fentanyl contain a potentially deadly dose.
To help combat this ongoing tragedy, the National Crime Prevention Council started The Lives Project, a digital quilt that aims to honor and remember victims of fentanyl overdoses.
On top of training and support for local crime prevention efforts, NCPC works to debunk myths about fentanyl, provide practical guidance to keep it out of communities, and support families who have lost loved ones.
Violent crime
Helping to prevent violent crime in communities today starts with engagement, and fortunately the internet helps bring people together to learn, share, and connect. NCPC’s Reducing Violent Crime Through Participation program encourages citizens to take a stand in their community and work with others to make it a better place. From free webinars and videos to plans for starting local groups, this program is working to make people feel safe in their homes and communities.
Counterfeit products
The Go For Real initiative encourages people to think twice before purchasing counterfeit products, from designer shoes and bags to drugs ordered off social media. Dupes can be unsafe, unethical, and untested. Here are some of the stats they shared to help convince young people to buy genuine goods:
- Every year, fake faulty electronics lead to over 70 deaths and around 350,000 serious injuries.
- International organized crime rings often rely on counterfeit products to fund their illegal activities, including gang violence, child labor, and human trafficking.
- When you choose to buy genuine products, you’re not just getting quality — you’re also supporting brands that put time and effort into research and development, creating safer goods that last.
- The counterfeit market is a massive $2 trillion criminal enterprise affecting every industry. It leads to all sorts of dangers, including fires, skin rashes, and even deaths, particularly from fake pills.
- Fake products are often made in unsafe environments and don’t follow proper safety regulations, which puts everyone at risk.
Did You Know Bark Can Help Protect Your Child From Violence and Drugs?
Fighting fentanyl, violent crime, and counterfeit products is no easy task, especially when it comes to kids who live online. Bark’s award-winning monitoring technology scans your child's online activities for potential dangers that you as a parent need to know about. Whether they’re texting about buying drugs or messaging a classmate about witnessing a fight, you’ll get an alert for concerning content so you can check in and make sure everything’s okay. Check out the Bark Phone for more details on our parental controls, or start your free, 7-day trial of our app today.
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Bark helps families manage and protect their children’s digital lives.
