POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE

Recently the Scranton Police Department organized a local chapter
of the National Association of the Police Athletic League. The Police Athletic League (PAL) is a non-profit organization headed by members of the local law enforcement. PAL is a youth crime prevention program that utilizes educational, athletic, and recreational activities to create trust and understanding between police officers and youth. The PAL program brings youth under the supervision and positive influence of a law enforcement agency and expands public awareness about the role of a police officer and the reinforcement of responsible values and attitudes instilled in young people by their parents.

The Police Athletic League has a 90-year history of caring and providing alternatives for youth at risk. PAL’s beginning actually started back in the 1910’s when police officers of the New York City Police Department had the insight to offer inner-city youth some positive experiences with law enforcement. They began PAL programs knowing, by providing a safe environment and supportive role models to guide activities, it would have a positive influence on the youth in their communities and give them opportunities to make better choices in their lives. Police involvement and supervision at places of play- ball fields, classrooms, and playgrounds engaged the children and helped to position police officers as friends.

It is unfortunate that in today’s sophisticated and technological police departments, the initial encounter of young people, all too frequently, occurs in the most unfavorable circumstances. By introducing a police-youth program as PAL, a mutual growing of youngsters and officers will ensue. A Police Athletic League is more than a program- it is a
philosophy – that of fair play, courtesy, and consideration of others.
It is a fact, if a youngster respects a police officer on a ball field or in a gym, he/she will come to respect the laws that police officers enforce.
Many cities and towns have recreation programs capable of absorbing its youth population in sound, constructive activities. It is the absence of understanding in police-youth relations that warrants a Police Athletic League. The police officer in our country is a comparatively popular figure with most law-abiding citizens, especially children. In
an attempt to keep this concept bright, a byproduct of any PAL is
the friendliness engendered between youngsters and police officers.
Leaders from almost all walks of life have been touched positively by PAL activities at some point in their lives. At a time when most youth are struggling to find their own way, PAL Chapters around the Country have been there to provide guidance for each individual to find his or her own path. Where it’s through numerous athletic or recreational activities, providing a quiet place to read and study, or maybe a needed pat on the back, PAL Chapters and the individuals who support them are dedicated to youth and building relationships.