Retired Officer Larry Leonhardt is shown above giving a McGruff House Presentation.
Officer Chad Gross of the Kohler Police Department now coordinates the Village of Kohler McGruff House Program since Officer Leonhardt's retirement.
A McGruff House is a temporary haven for children who find themselves in 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 short-term help from 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.
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:
The McGruff House Participant Does:
1. Telephone appropriate authorities for help.
2. Reassure and assist children who are frightened or lost.
3. Assist children who have medical emergencies by contacting appropriate professionals.
4. Assist those who fear becoming victims of personal crime (i.e. violent acts, child abuse, gang violence, bullied, or involved in drug abuse, etc.)
5. Assist those who have been victimized by crime by calling appropriate authorities.
6. Report crimes and suspicious activities to law enforcement officials, providing vehicle and suspect descriptions when possible.
The McGruff House Participant Does Not:
1. Provide first aid or administer medication, except in extreme emergency situations and then only if qualified.
2. Act as a guard or escort service.
3. Assume the role of neighborhood supervisor or posse.
4. Enforce laws.
5. Provide toilet facilities.
6. Provide a place to "warm up" or "cool down."
7. Provide food or beverages.
8. Guarantee Safety.
If you are interested in becoming a McGruff House Participant please contact Officer Gross at the Kohler Police Department. He can be reached at 459-3877 or e-mail Chad
The National McGruff House page is located at National McGruff House Website
