An Introduction to PAL

The Police Athletic League (PAL) began in 1914 with a "bang" when a New York City youth gang threw a rock through a window. This incident was just another of the gang's ongoing campaign to harass storekeepers and disrupt the neighborhood.

New York City Police Lieutenant Ed Flynn liked youth and was convinced that there had to be a better way to reach at-risk youth before they became involved in destructive and often harmful behavior.

Lt. Flynn located the gang's leader, and met with him to discuss the problems in the neighborhood. The gang leader spoke openly about his frustration of living in the inner city and constantly being watched by the law saying, "Man, we ain't got no place to play, nothin' to do. The cops are always hasslin' us. We can't even play baseball."

Lt. Flynn was on his way to becoming a friend, rather than an enemy, to the youth of his community.

By rallying the neighborhood storekeepers and his fellow police officers in support of his vision, Lt. Flynn raised enough funds to buy baseball uniforms and equipment. He also located a playground for games. As a result, the team was an instant success. Before the end of the year, there were nearly a dozen teams in their city, and this led to the birth of PAL.

Although many excellent youth programs exist, the Police Activities League is unique. Not only does it offer a wide range of sports and educational activities, it forms positive relationships between youth and police officers through the direct participation of the officers.

Law enforcement officers who administer youth activities is positive for all involved-officers, youth and the community. The Police Activities League (PAL) and Sheriff Activities League (SAL) programs build a relationship of trust between youth and law enforcement, a relationship that often continues as the youth matures. The programs are also beneficial because the male and female officers involved in the programs are excellent role models for today's youth, when there are far too few positive role models in society today.

Police and Sheriff Activities Leagues are an effective tool in juvenile crime prevention and in juvenile community policing.