SAWYERS MILL McGRUFF HOUSES

What is a McGruff house?  McGruff houses act as safe homes for children should the need arise while out in the neighborhood.  The residents of these homes have gone through a screening process through the Chesapeake Police Department.  All approved homes will have a McGruff sign in their window.  If a child sees this sign, they know that’s a safe home to go to if they have a situation where they need to go somewhere safe.  The following houses in Sawyers Mill are approved McGruff houses:

 

535 Lake Crest Drive              400 Sawblade Circle       403 Sawblade Circle

2819 Bedstone Circle             2704 Millhouse Lane        2712 Millhouse Lane

401 Noggin Circle                   400 Undershot Court      410 Mallet Way

2736 Bear Creek Lane            305 Red Rider Lane       320 Big Pond LN

409 Lodge Cove                     406 Sawyers Mill Crossing

2803 Sawyers Arch

Take your children and show them these homes so they know where they’re located.  For more information, contact the Sawyers Mill Neighborhood Watch Coordinator:  Teresa Shuma, 620-8083.

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WHAT IS A McGRUFF HOUSE?
A McGruff House is a temporary safe haven for children who find themselves in an emergency or frightening situations such as being bullied, followed, or hurt while walking in a neighborhood.   
A McGruff House provides a sense of security and a source of emergency aid.  It is not an escort service or a guarantee of safety but rather a place for appropriate short-term help by an adult for a child.   An effective McGruff House Program demonstrates that the community accepts a shared responsibility to watch out and help out on behalf of all its children.

WHAT DOES A McGRUFF HOUSE PARTICIPANT DO?

An individual who volunteers as a McGruff House participant agrees to provide the following types of emergency assistance for children as they go to and from school and are at play in the area:

~ Telephone appropriate authorities for help.
~ Reassure and aid children who are frightened or lost.
~ Assist children who have medical emergencies by obtaining the appropriate attention.
~ Assist those who are in immediate fear of becoming victims of personal crime or thefts, child abuse, gangs, or bullies.
~ Report crimes and suspicious activities to law enforcement officials and provide descriptions of vehicles and suspects when possible. 

THE McGRUFF HOUSE PARTICIPANT DOES NOT: 

~ Personally provide first aid or administer medications, except in extreme emergency situations and then only if qualified.
~ Act as an escort service.
~ Assume the role of neighborhood upervisor.                             
~ Enforce laws.
~ Provide toilet facilities.
~ Provide a place to "warm up" or "cool down".
~ Provide food or beverages
~ Guarantee safety.

WHY McGRUFF HOUSE?

What makes McGruff House different from other block parent programs?

First, McGruff, the Crime Dog.   The McGruff House displays a symbol – McGruff, the trench-coated spokes-dog for crime prevention-recognized by 99% of America's children because they've seen him on television, in print, or because he has visited their school.   One in five U.S. families moves yearly; using a symbol recognized nationwide makes sense.
 Second, the McGruff House Program is designed to help children.  Recognizing that it is impossible in any program to protect against all contingencies, reasonable precautions have been designed into the McGruff House Program to determine the integrity of those volunteers who participate.   Adults who volunteer their homes agree to law-enforcement records checks.   The distribution of McGruff House signs is strictly controlled.  Each numbered sign is released only after all screening procedures are completed and the applicant is approved.
Third, McGruff House is a locally operated program.  It is a service provided by the community for the well being of children and represents a cooperative effort.   The partners must include local law enforcement, a school or school system, and a community organization (such as PTA/PTO, Neighborhood Watch, civic associations).  It can and should be tailored to local needs and conditions within the basic timeframe.  In a number of states, local efforts are strengthened by the operation of a state McGruff House office.  This office is responsible for the coordination of all McGruff  House programs in the state and offers various kinds of assistance.   A list of those states that currently have a state McGruff House Office is included in the Resources.
Fourth, McGruff House is a nationwide program that represents a partnership among local communities, state governments, and a national organization.
This partnership enables communities to benefit from the credibility and visibility of the national effort and to join with other communities in implementing a program with consistent standards, guidelines, and safeguards.