I was long beyond the age of the target audience when McGruff arrived on the scene. I can see his appeal for the kids however. Though he has a deep voice and his message is serious - being a dog and a cartoon - he's still cute and projects a feeling of safety.

I like him for what he stood for.

Worked so fucking well that one guy actually dressed up as McGruff, dog head with trenchcoat, and proceeded to rob a liquor store of 200+ and some booze.

Police issued an APB for someone "dressed up like McGruff the Crime Dog".

I heard the line-up consisted of two Great Danes, three St Bernards, Morris the Cat, and the Taco Bell chihuahua.

My favorite was the "Don't Use Drugs" ad that aired when I was about twelve. The thing I thought was strange about that one at the time was the high school aged punk kids joining the mostly conservative-looking elementary school kids in the jingle. They (the punk kids) didn't look like they belonged in an anti-drug ad. Now that I think about it, the misfit youths were a wonderful addition to the commercial, because it showed diversity.

What great memories.

"Scruff McGruff Chicago, Illinois 60652 And help take a bite out of crime!"

anything that teaches kids safety has a thumbs up from me

CHILDHOOD CLASSIC!!! not really effective and didn't make much sense but I still remember take a bite out of crime