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.
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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 for 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.
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What Does a McGruff House Participant Do?
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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:
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- Telephone appropriate authorities for help.
- Reassure and assist children who are frightened or lost.
- Assist children who have medical emergencies by contacting appropriate professionals.
- Assist those who fear becoming victims of personal crime (i.e. violent acts, child abuse, gang violence, bullied, or involved in drug abuse, etc.)
- Assist those who have been victimized by crime by calling appropriate authorities.
- Report crimes and suspicious activities to law enforcement officials, providing vehicle and suspect descriptions when possible.
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The McGruff House Participant Does Not:
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- Provide first-aid or administer medication, except in extreme emergency situations and then only if qualified.
- Act as a guard or escort service.
- Assume the role of neighborhood supervisor or posse.
- Enforce laws.
- Provide toilet facilities.
- Provide a place to "warm up" or "cool down".
- Provide food or beverages.
- Guarantee safety.
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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 Officer Gross.
The National McGruff House website is located at National McGruff House.
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