The purpose of PAL is the same today as it was the day the crime prevention program began during the 1930’s.  PAL gives kids a chance to become respectful citizens by developing a special bond among police Officers, youth and the community.

PAL started with a bang-a rock through a window.  A youth gang in New York City, harassing storekeepers and generally making life miserable in the neighborhood, caused the problem that pioneered this approach to juvenile delinquency.   

A police lieutenant of the New York Police Department’s Crime Prevention Bureau liked kids.  He wondered at the uselessness of always punishing them.  He wondered whether kids might be touched before they got in trouble.  He searched out the gang’s ringleader.  They talked, and the lieutenant listened for reasons behind the kids’ antisocial behavior.  He learned of the kids frustration of the ghetto, no place to go, nothing to do and of being hassled by the police even for playing baseball in the street. The lieutenant wondered. Why to help the kids form a team?  Give them a place to play under police supervision.  Be a friend instead of an enemy.

The lieutenant found a playground where the gang could play under the eye of friendly police officers.  The team was an instant success.  Before the year ended, there where close to a dozen such teams in the city.    

CALIFORNIA PAL

California PAL is a non profit organization formed to provide assistance to the various Police and Sheriff Activities Leagues located throughout the State of California.

Check out their web site: http://www.calpal.org/

 PAL has since broadened it’s scope to include arts and crafts, dance, music, drama, social services, vocational guidance, remedial reading, field trips or virtually any healthy activity that kids enjoy.