The Police Activities League is a youth crime prevention program that relies on educational, athletic and other recreational activities to cement a bond between police officers and the youth in our community. It is based on the conviction that young people - if they are reached early enough -- can develop strong, positive attitudes towards police officers and the law. Studies have shown that if a young person respects a police officer on the ball field or in the gym, he or she will likely come to respect the laws that police officers enforce. Such respect is beneficial to the young person, the police officer, the neighborhood, and the business community.The Police Activities League promotes trust and understanding between young people and police officers by bringing youth under the supervision and constructive influence of dedicated law enforcement professionals. The program also enhances public awareness about the role of police officers, including the reinforcement of responsible values and attitudes taught by parents.
History of the Police Activities League:
The P.A.L. started with a bang -- a rock through a window, to be more precise. A youth gang in New York City, harassing storekeepers and generally making life miserable in the neighborhood, caused the problem that pioneered the concept of the Police Athletic League.
Lieutenant Ed Flynn of the New York Police Department’s Crime Prevention Bureau liked kids. He wondered about the uselessness of always punishing them, and whether kids might be reached before they got into trouble. He sought out the gang’s ringleader. As they talked, Lieutenant Flynn listened for the reasons behind the kids’ anti-social behavior. The ringleader shouted the frustration of the ghetto, telling Lieutenant Flynn, "Man, we ain’t got no place to play, nothing to do. The cops are always hasslin’ us. We can’t even play baseball." A baseball fan himself, Lieutenant Flynn thought, "Why not help these kids form a team? Give them a place to play under police supervision. Be a friend instead of an enemy."
He talked it over with fellow officers and neighborhood storekeepers. Each chipped in a dollar for equipment and uniforms. Lieutenant Flynn then found a playground where the gang could play under the watchful eye of friendly police officers. The team was an instant success. Before the year ended, there were close to a dozen such teams throughout New York City. That was the birth of the P.A.L.
The P.A.L. has since broadened its scope to include arts and crafts, dance, music, drama, social services, vocational guidance, remedial reading, and field trips, indeed virtually any healthy activity that young people might enjoy.
For more information about the Police Activity League in Sanger, use the information listed below.
Daniel Palomo
Police Officer
Sanger Police Department
Youth Services
1700 7th Street
Sanger, Ca. 93657
(559) 876-6370WE NEED YOUR HELP.
The Sanger Police Activities League depends on your financial and volunteer support. Because the Sanger Police
Activities League is a registered Non-Profit Organization, your donations are tax deductible. We also need your
volunteer support.
HOW CAN I HELP?
The Sanger PAL needs volunteers to develop and supervise youth activities, sponsor a child or chaperon youth
on field trips. We also need volunteers to help with remodeling and maintaining our building and grounds.
Anyone interested in making a donation may return the form available below or contact
ELLIE PALOMO at
559-876-6363.The Sanger Police Activities League exist to provide our youth with opportunities to participate in many varied
activities. The City of Sanger and the Sanger Unified School District support Sanger PAL. The PAL also works in
conjunction with other community groups to provide services to youth and families.
If you are interested in helping with Sanger's PAL program Click Here to fill out a simple form.
Send the Author E-Mail
Robert Beck
robert.beck@fcle.org