Meet McGruff the Crime Dog

October 25, 2023

This week we talked with UCSF Police Department’s Doug Ponce about his dual role as Public Safety Ambassador and McGruff the Crime Dog.

I like to hear parents talking to their kids about McGruff. That’s one of my favorite parts. Even some of the police officers get excited when they see McGruff because they also grew up with it
Doug Ponce
‌‌Public Safety Ambassador
‌‌McGruff the Crime Dog, UCPD

Meet McGruff the Crime Dog

More than 40 years ago, a cartoon bloodhound named McGruff the Crime Dog was created to raise awareness about crime and prevention strategies. Children of the 80s may remember the public service announcements and McGruff’s “Take a Bite Out of Crime” slogan. The UCSF Police Department still uses the McGruff character to connect with the community as part of their outreach strategy. At UCSF, Police Department colleagues fill the role of McGruff, which requires an extra staff member to assist at events such as childcare center visits, community events with other agencies, festivals, parades and the UCSF Block Party and 654 Minnesota Building Social. We talked with Public Safety Ambassador Doug Ponce about his role as McGruff.

How did you end up taking on the role of McGruff?

I’ve been at UCSF for about 20 years. I oversaw the schedule of security officers who took on the voluntary role of McGruff. When I ran out of people to fill the role, I started doing it myself. I’ve been in the McGruff role consistently for the last ten years.

‌‌The Police Department wants to connect with the community and McGruff helps with that. The interaction with everyone is a nice perk. I like to see the kids and make them smile. I am cautious around children to make sure they aren’t scared. If they give me a big high-five, then they are okay. If they are skeptical, I step back a little bit.

There are people who don’t know McGruff. What is your connection to the “Crime Dog”?

When I was a kid, I remember seeing McGruff. We grew up with public service and safety information in commercials, but kids now don’t have that. I like to hear parents talking to their kids about McGruff. That’s one of my favorite parts. Even some of the police officers get excited when they see McGruff because they also grew up with it.

‌