Faces In Prevention

Sergeant Steve Parker
Burlington, IA

"I watched a McGruff public service advertisement in July 1980 and thought to myself, what if this animated crime dog could be placed into a costume to make a real-life portrayal to share crime prevention in schools, parades, fairs, and other public programs," said Sergeant Steve Parker of the Des Moines County Sheriff's Department in Burlington, IA.  When Parker contacted his sheriff, he was told if he could come up with the money, he could pursue the idea.

Parker then met with Officer Mike Capps and Police Matron Ruth McDonald of the Burlington, IA, police department to discuss the project.  "I wrote away for the response piece from the ad, and after looking at a picture in the book, McDonald created a head out of papier-mâché and I bought some plaid pants, got a trench coat, and some gum- soled shoes and my McGruff made his first public appearance in Burlington, IA, for a Neighborhood Watch program." 

"Portraying McGruff has definitely been the greatest honor and privilege of my law enforcement career.  The reception from people of all ages has been incredible. The response to McGruff is sensational. After 25 years he still remains an extremely popular figure," continued Parker.

Parker makes almost 200 McGruff appearance each year, and as of January 2005 he had made nearly 5,000 appearances.  "McGruff has been one of the most important, if not the most important factors of getting crime prevention awareness to the general public," concluded Parker.

Katie Sturges,
Everett, WA

Katie Sturges, a 15-year-old student at Monroe Junior High School in Everett, WA, actively participates in the Power Plays program, which teaches students about relationship violence. Sturges joined the group after Power Plays visited her class last year. "I thought that what they had to say was very important and that they must have lots of fun. I decided to sign up to be in Power Plays. I thought it would be really neat to help someone," said Sturges.

Sturges has grown to love the program and what she does. "I do really like to be able to help people because they don't have to live with being hurt all the time, and if they can recognize someone that is going to hurt them before they get emotionally attached because of something Power Plays has taught them, I think that's the most important part." Katie says the most challenging part of her work is getting caught up on her school work, but her favorite part is working with other students, teaching them about relationship violence and working with the other members in her group.