Dear Kim Gonzalez,

This is just a note to say how proud I am of you! You're always willing to help out your family and friends. You like to learn new things, and I'm told that you always try to be the best that you can be. Kim, that makes you a winner! I'm writing to ask if I can meet you soon in Phoenix, Arizona and spend the day with you. I want to share some safety and crime-prevention tips with you and your buddies. If we all pitch in, I'm sure we can TAKE A BITE OUT OF CRIME!

See you soon?

McGruff the Crime Dog

That morning, Kim Gonzalez woke up even before the alarm went off. She was too excited to sleep another wink! Today, Kim was going to meet McGruff the Crime Dog in Phoenix, Arizona, and they would be spending the whole day together! McGruff was even coming home with Kim after school. Good thing Thomas had helped Kim straighten up her room. While she was cleaning up for McGruff's visit, Kim found things that she had lost long ago. She also found some things that she had forgotten she even had!

In a flash, Kim got dressed and made her bed. Even though she wanted to rush out of the door, she took time to eat a good breakfast. Kim had learned at school that breakfast was the most important meal of the day. When Kim heard a knock at the front door, she carefully checked to see who was there before she unlocked and opened it. It was McGruff and some police officers, and they were ready to drive her to school. Kim locked the door as they left. "Way to go, Kim," McGruff said. "Better safe than sorry." When Kim and McGruff got into the police car, they both took time to buckle up securely. "Wow," exclaimed Kim, "patrol cars are cool! Can we turn on the siren? Can I talk on the radio?" McGruff gave her a friendly smile. "There's more to crime prevention than just sirens, Kim," he said. "Just wait."

While driving to school, Kim was full of questions. "What is it you do?" she asked McGruff. "I help build safer communities," McGruff replied, "by helping people take a bite out of crime. I can't do it by myself," he continued. "So today you'll meet others whose job it is to help you protect yourself." When they drew near the school, Kim pointed out her friends, Thomas, waiting at the school crossing. McGruff was impressed. "I sure am glad your friends know to stop and look both ways for cars," he noted. "The best way to do it," McGruff continued, "is to look left, then right, and then left one more time to make sure that no cars are coming. Be sure to cross only at the intersection," he added. "Jay-walking is dangerous!"

Kim's teacher asked her to introduce McGruff to the class. "I'm glad to be here," McGruff exclaimed. "I've brought a special crime-fighting sticker for each of you." Kim handed out the stickers to her classmates while McGruff continued. "I hope these stickers will help you remember TO TAKE A BITE OUT OF CRIME," he said. "Who knows what that means?" All of Kim's classmates raised their hands proudly. "Good for you," said McGruff. Soon everyone was asking McGruff questions about crime prevention. Kim's teacher had to interrupt. "Hold your questions, everyone," she said, "because we're going to a school assembly where you'll meet other visitors who will teach you about safety and crime prevention too." As her friends lined up, Kim proudly took her place with McGruff at the head of the line.

Once the auditorium was full and the kids were finally quiet, the school principal stepped to the front of the stage. "Boys and girls, I'm pleased to present two of our community's crime-prevention officers. With them this morning is crime-prevention dog, McGruff. He came here today to meet Kim Gonzalez and the rest of you too." Kim's classmates clapped and cheered when McGruff and she stood up. Next to them were a police officer and a sheriff's deputy. As McGruff walked to the microphone, the auditorium became quiet. No one, not even the teachers, wanted to miss any of McGruff's speech.

"Kids," McGruff began. "You know me and what I stand for. Now, I want you to meet two of my friends whose jobs include helping keep Kim and all of you safe." "They're here to talk about safety, especially for the younger children whose parents aren't home when school lets out. I know that's not all of you," McGruff said, "but all of you should learn and practice these tips." McGruff took his seat next to Kim, and the two officers walked to the microphone.

The police officer spoke first. "Thank you for inviting us to be here today." He turned to Kim. "Kim, I know you're excited to have McGruff here today. So are we! McGruff is a big part of our program of crime-prevention education." The officer turned back to the crowd. "I'm sure that Kim and the rest of you want to be good citizens. To do that," he continued, "you have to follow the laws of our community to keep everyone safe." Kim's friends were listening intently. The police officer continued. "The deputy and I are like referees or umpires in one of your ball games. We make sure that you follow the rules. That way, everyone plays fairly. Most important of all, no one gets hurt."

Next, it was the deputy's turn to talk. "How many of you know your full name, your full address, and your telephone number, including the area code?" he asked. "If you do, stand up." Kim jumped to her feet and was surprised to see all of her classmates standing too. "That's great," said the deputy. "Now, please take your seats again." "Knowing your full phone number is just part of being phone smart," the deputy continued. "You should also know how to use different kinds of phones, including pay phones. Keep a list of emergency numbers at home, next to your phone. If you're home by yourself, lock the doors behind you, then phone a family member or trusted neighbor, just to check in."

For several more minutes, the police officer and deputy shared safety tips with Kim and the other boys and girls. When they were through, McGruff asked an important question about being phone smart. "Hey kids," McGruff asked, "Is it ever okay to hang up on a caller? You BET it is, if it's a prank call from a stranger. If you get a call like that, hang up! Never tell a caller you're home by yourself. Remember, your phone line is a safety line. In emergencies, call 911." "Now," said McGruff, "it's time to say goodbye to our visiting officers and end our assembly. I hope that now you understand what it takes to help prevent crime. We all need to keep an eye out for suspicious activity and help keep our homes, our neighborhoods, and our schools safe."

At lunch time, Kim, Thomas joined McGruff in the cafeteria and talked about what McGruff had told them in the assembly. They all agreed that McGruff's safety tips were good for all of them, not just the younger kids. The Crime Dog gave them another valuable piece of advice. "Unless your parents or guardian say so, don't go anywhere with another adult, even if he or she says your family okayed it. You and your family should decide on secret code words to be used if someone else is going to pick you up." Kim had a good question to ask McGruff. "How do I answer the phone politely and NOT let someone know I'm alone at home?" McGruff suggested Kim use phrases like "Can she call you back?" or "He can't come to the phone right now, may I take your number?"

Later that day, Kim caught up with Thomas on the playground. "Oh, no," exclaimed Kim, "look at these broken swings!" "Look at these initials carved into your slide," growled McGruff. "That kind of vandalism costs your school a lot of money, money that could be better spent on new text books or class field trips." Kim and her buddies promised McGruff they'd keep their ears and eyes open to help prevent vandalism to school property. "That's great," said McGruff. "With kids like you on the team, I think this is one fight we can win!"

After the final bell of the school day had rung, Kim and McGruff boarded the bus to go home. Some of Kim's friends were unlocking their bikes to ride home. "We've had bikes stolen out of the racks, McGruff," noted Kim. "How can I make sure this doesn't happen to me?" "Well," said McGruff, "the first thing to do is not give crime a chance to happen. Make sure you lock your bike with a U-bolt lock or cable. Also, engrave your bike with a special identification number that makes it easy for the police to return it to you if they find it. It's sad but true; most bikes are not returned because they don't have identification numbers."

On the walk home from Kim's bus stop, McGruff brought up another important subject: dealing with strangers. "Kim, a stranger is a person that you don't know well, or someone your family doesn't know well. I'm not saying that every stranger is someone to be feared, but be cautious if one wants to talk to you. Also, NEVER get into a stranger's car." McGruff continued. "If you think that you're being followed, run to the nearest public place where there are plenty of people, to a trusted neighbor's house, or to a McGruff house. A McGruff house has earned a sign in the window with my picture on it. It's a safe place to go for help in an emergency or threatening situation."

As the two friends approached Kim's house, McGruff gave Kim still another important safety tip. "Check things out before you open the door, Kim," he cautioned. "Never go in if the door is open or if you see a broken window. Go to a trusted neighbor's house or a McGruff house. Remember, call 911 if you need help." Kim nodded and McGruff continued. "If someone you don't know comes to your door when you're home by yourself, don't open the door. Look through a peephole or window first. Tell the stranger to come back later, because your parents are busy. If that person hangs around, call a trusted neighbor, a McGruff house, or use your emergency number to ask for help."

Sooner than Kim had wanted, the time came for McGruff to say goodbye. Kim would certainly miss her Crime Dog buddy, but McGruff reminded her of her two new friends, the police officer and sheriff's deputy. "Remember Kim," said McGruff, "it's their job to teach you to protect yourself. It's your job to learn!" Kim flashed McGruff a big smile. "I won't be afraid to talk to any police officer or deputy," she promised, "because I know they're here to help me. I'm going to work with them, my friends, and my neighbors to make Phoenix, Arizona a safer place for kids like me." Kim, Thomas had spent a great day with McGruff and had learned valuable lessons. They now know that each of them can make a big difference, especially if they help McGruff TAKE A BITE OUT OF CRIME!

Phone Smart Chart

for

Kim Gonzalez

_______________Street Address

_______________City, State, Zip

_______________Emergency #

_______________My Home #

_______________Parent's Work #

_______________Neighbor's #

_______________Relative's #

_______________Police #

_______________Sheriff's #

_______________McGruff House #