McGruff Crime Prevention Campaign in Hawaii

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The Hawaii McGruff Crime Prevention Campaign was established in 1986 to instill the concept of crime prevention and safety at an early age among the state's youngsters. As a national symbol of crime prevention, McGruff has significantly influenced and raised the awareness of Hawaii's children on the dangers of drugs and crime.

McGruff's message has gone beyond the classroom to reach the community at large. His message of drug and crime prevention has been heard by thousands of children and adults alike at community events. Through safety tips and the distribution of drug and crime prevention materials (educational brochures, coloring books, etc.), we hope to reach the whole community.

The Community & Crime Prevention Branch works with The National Crime Prevention Council to coordinate Hawaii's McGruff Program. NCPC is a private, nonprofit, tax-exempt organization whose mission is to prevent crime and build safer, more caring communities.

Also visit McGruff.org. It's just for kids. Got a question about staying safe? Ask McGruff for advice. Learn basic safety rules with Scruff through games, puzzles, and comics. Find out how you can help Take A Bite Out Of Crime!

2006 Crime Prevention Month Celebration

Lt. Governor James "Duke" Aiona, Jr. proclaimed October as "2006 Crime Prevention Month" in Hawaii.

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(L-R) Attorney General Mark J. Bennett; Lt. James Sanborn, representing Hawaii County Police Chief Lawrence Mahuna and Chairperson of the Western Community Policing Institute, State Advisory Committee; Lt. Governor James "Duke" Aiona, Jr.; McGruff, Sgt. Glenn Maekawa, Honolulu Police Department; Pat Sasaki, Executive Office of Aging; and Scruff.

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Attorney General Mark J. Bennett; Lt. Governor James "Duke" Aiona, Jr.; McGruff and Scruff along with representatives from the Executive Office of Aging; Department of Education; Kaimuki High School; Western Community Policing Institute, State Advisory Committee; Honolulu Police Department; Hawaiian Electric Company; and Department of the Attorney General.

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McGruff and Scruff with Attorney General Mark Bennett and the Community and Crime Prevention staff (L-R) Valerie Mariano, Kristell Corpuz, and Angela Kaiwikuamoohoihou.

Hawaii McGruff Truck Program

In September 1988, the Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division, together with private utility companies and county police departments, pioneered the McGruff Truck Program. This program formalizes a procedure designed to help individuals in distress, especially children, to seek the assistance of trained utility company personnel. "McGruff Trucks" are those vehicles bearing special yellow decals on their front and rear bumpers. Upon being waved down, the drivers of these trucks will radio for help using their companies' standard emergency procedures.

There are currently nine utility and cable companies participating in the McGruff Truck Program statewide, including: The Gas Company, Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Hawaii Electric Light Company, Inc., Hawaiian Telcom, Kauai Department of Water, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, Maui Electric Company, Ltd., Verizon Federal, and Oceanic Time Warner Cable of Hawaii.

As a result of the efforts of those involved, children throughout Hawaii recognize the McGruff Trucks, and there have been a number of reported cases where truck drivers have provided assistance to children in emergency situations.

McGruff Truck Activity Sheets for Keiki
Print them out!

Last modified 2006-11-29 02:28 PM