Editing McGruff the Crime Dog (section)

=== Addressing Crime ===
Jack Calhoun, the first president and CEO of the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), emphasized addressing the root causes of crime, stating, "At some point, I have to step out from my locked house and barred windows." Current efforts aim to reintroduce McGruff to a new generation, positioning him as a watchdog against modern criminal activities, including online crime. Paul DelPonte, the current head of the NCPC, emphasized the importance of community involvement in reducing violent crime, stating that "strategies that increase public engagement in public safety are proven crime stoppers." He has also encouraged public health officials to integrate McGruff's message into health prevention programs.

The NCPC and McGruff are collaborating with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to combat the sale of counterfeit products online. The "You're Smart. Buy Smart." campaign, which premiered in August 2022, features McGruff in 3D animation and is among the largest campaigns in the Crime Dog's history. Filmed at Jim Henson Studios in Hollywood, the ads are also available in Spanish. The campaign includes a partnership with NASCAR, showcasing a McGruff-themed car driven by Joey Gase.

In December 2021, McGruff made an appearance on the animated television show ''Family Guy'', in a segment focused on preventing kidnapping. This reappearance sparked a wave of fan support. Additionally, in April 2022, the NCPC partnered with McGruff to establish Fentanyl Prevention Awareness Day, which was observed on August 21, 2022. Later that year, in October, the NCPC launched livesproject.org, a digital remembrance quilt to honor victims and raise awareness about fentanyl.