In the midst of all the summer...

In the midst of all the summer reruns, ABC’s “Webster” delivers an episode this week that is new and timely (Wednesday at 8:30 p.m., Channels 7, 3, 10, 42).

It’s a story built around McGruff, a large shaggy dog cartoon character created by the National Crime Prevention Council in 1979. A human personification of McGruff visits schools and communities to provide safety tips and promote neighborhood pride.

So when Webster is frightened by a bully who’s extorting money at school, McGruff is called in. Larry Manley of the Redondo Beach Police Department guests as Officer McGruff, a role he often plays in his own community.

And in their regular roles are “Webster” stars Susan Clark, Alex Karras and Emmanuel Lewis, all seen on the cover. Regular air time for the series, which is starting its fourth year, is Fridays at 8 p.m.